In a major tactical triumph against trans-border drug cartels, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-15) has intercepted a massive narcotics shipment valued at approximately 24 crore BDT (£1.5 million). The contraband, which included both synthetic stimulants and high-grade opiates, was found expertly concealed beneath the sands of a mangrove forest in North Nuniarchhara, Cox’s Bazar.
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The Pre-Dawn Sting
Acting on a high-level intelligence “tip-off” regarding a maritime smuggling operation, an elite RAB-15 unit launched a strategic raid in the early hours of Monday, 26 January. The target was a secluded stretch of the parabon (coastal mangrove forest), a location frequently exploited by traffickers for its dense cover and proximity to the Bay of Bengal.
Upon the arrival of the security forces, two individuals attempted to evade capture by sprinting into the thickets. They were swiftly intercepted and detained. Following a preliminary field interrogation, the suspects led the officers to a camouflaged site where two large, industrial-grade plastic sacks had been buried in the sand.
Inventory of the Seized Contraband
The excavation revealed a staggering volume of illicit substances. During a press briefing held at the RAB-15 headquarters later that afternoon, Lieutenant Colonel Niamul Halim Khan, the Battalion’s Commanding Officer, provided a detailed breakdown of the haul:
| Narcotic Type | Quantity | Estimated Market Value |
| Yaba (Methamphetamine) | 630,000 Tablets | 18.9 Crore BDT |
| Heroin (Refined) | 10 Kilograms | 5.1 Crore BDT |
| Total Valuation | — | 24 Crore BDT |
The Perpetrators
The two men taken into custody have been identified as:
Md. Ismail (43): Son of the late Hossain Ahmed, residing in the Chorandwip area of Chakaria.
Nazrul Islam (42): Son of the late Saber Ahmed, hailing from the Palongkhali Union in Ukhia.
Logistics and Distribution
Authorities believe that the shipment arrived via a maritime route, likely from the deep sea, and was intended for immediate “shuttling” to major urban centres like Dhaka and Chittagong. By burying the goods in the parabon, the syndicate intended to wait for a “clear window” to transport the drugs via land routes.
“This operation has successfully dismantled a critical link in the supply chain,” stated Lt. Col. Khan. He further noted that a rigorous investigation is underway to identify the “godfathers” financing these maritime shipments.
Legal proceedings are currently being formalised at the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act.