Police in Raipur upazila of Lakshmipur district have arrested a 60-year-old man on allegations of cultivating and trafficking cannabis, following the recovery of illegal plants and processed narcotics during a targeted operation on Tuesday (31 March). The accused, identified as Zainal Abedin, is now in custody as investigators probe a suspected local drug distribution network.
According to law enforcement officials, the operation was launched after police received confidential intelligence indicating that cannabis was being cultivated in a concealed manner within the Rakhalia Bazar area, near a mosque compound. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, officers conducted a search beside a pond adjacent to the mosque, where they discovered cannabis plants carefully hidden among vegetable crops.
During the initial sweep, police recovered 18 cannabis plants, reportedly between 6 and 18 inches in height. Officials said the plants had been deliberately camouflaged among common vegetable cultivation in an apparent attempt to avoid detection and routine monitoring.
Following the discovery, and based on information gathered from local sources, police detained Zainal Abedin from the same locality. He is reported to have been employed as a cleaner at the Rakhalia Bazar Jame Mosque, a role which allegedly provided him access to a small storage facility within the mosque premises.
A subsequent search of the storage room linked to him led to the recovery of additional narcotics, including approximately 500 grammes of cannabis along with 55 small packets—locally known as puria—containing an estimated total of 100 grammes.
Seized Narcotics and Case Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Accused | Zainal Abedin (60) |
| Area of arrest | Rakhalia Bazar, Raipur, Lakshmipur |
| Date of operation | Tuesday, 31 March |
| Police unit involved | Raipur Police Station |
| Cannabis plants seized | 18 (height: 6–18 inches) |
| Bulk cannabis recovered | Approx. 500 grammes |
| Packaged cannabis | 55 small packets (~100 grammes total) |
| Storage location | Mosque-associated storage room |
Local residents told investigators that the accused had been allotted a small storage space for keeping cleaning equipment used in mosque maintenance. Authorities believe he allegedly exploited nearby unused land to cultivate cannabis discreetly, presenting it as routine vegetable farming to avoid suspicion.
Preliminary interrogation reportedly indicates that Zainal Abedin admitted to collecting cannabis from multiple sources and supplying it to local drug dealers operating within the area. Police, however, stated that these claims are being thoroughly verified as part of a wider investigation aimed at identifying potential associates and supply routes.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance), Hossain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi, confirmed the arrest and said proceedings have been initiated under the Narcotics Control Act 2018. He added that further investigative steps are underway to determine the full extent of the accused’s alleged involvement in cultivation, storage and distribution activities.
Authorities described the recovery as part of an ongoing crackdown on narcotics in rural and semi-urban regions, where illegal drug cultivation is often concealed within agricultural plots or private land under the guise of legitimate farming.
Police have also indicated that further raids may be conducted in surrounding areas should additional links or accomplices emerge during the course of the investigation. The accused remains under detention as legal procedures continue.