Eight Police Officers Temporarily Suspended Over Yaba Scandal in Chittagong

Chittagong has witnessed a major disciplinary action as eight police officers have been temporarily suspended in connection with a high-profile Yaba (methamphetamine) case. The directive came from Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz on Monday, 5 January.

The suspended officers face allegations of releasing a suspect despite the recovery of Yaba tablets and misappropriating the seized narcotics. On 23 December, Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate S.M. Alauddin Mahmud, acting on his own initiative, filed a formal case. Concurrently, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) was instructed to submit a detailed report to the court by 5 January.

The officers involved include Sub-Inspectors (SIs) Mohammad Al-Amin Sarkar and Mohammad Amir Hossain (currently attached to Kotwali Police Station), Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) Saiful Alam, Md. Ziaur Rahman, Md. Saddam Hossain, Enamul Haque, Constable Md. Rashedul Hasan Bhuiya, and Female Constable Umme Habiba.

According to police sources, on the night of 8 December last year, a routine checkpoint at New Bridge area led to the inspection of a Dhaka-bound bus operated by Desh Travels from Cox’s Bazar. A trolley bag in the possession of Cox’s Bazar constable Md. Imtiaz Hossain was found to contain approximately 80,000 to 100,000 Yaba tablets. Instead of following proper legal procedures, the narcotics were allegedly misappropriated by the officers on duty, and Constable Imtiaz was released at around 3:30 a.m.

Further investigation revealed that Constable Imtiaz had reportedly agreed, in exchange for monetary compensation from individuals in Cox’s Bazar’s Kolatoli area, to transport the Yaba consignment to Dhaka without taking any official leave. The impropriety came to light during the subsequent inquiry by the Metropolitan Police, uncovering the unauthorised release of the suspect along with the drugs.

Police have cited misappropriation of drugs, providing false and misleading information to superiors, and failure to comply with lawful orders under the Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB) Rule 880 as grounds for the disciplinary action. Both the Deputy Commissioner (South) Humayun Kabir Bhuiya and Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid confirmed the authenticity of the preliminary findings.

List of Suspended Officers :

The Chittagong Metropolitan Police have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and further measures will be taken as more details emerge. The incident has raised concerns regarding integrity and accountability within the force, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to legal protocols and ethical conduct.