The Detective Branch (DB) of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), specifically the Port Division, has successfully apprehended four individuals suspected of involvement in the narcotics trade. The operation resulted in the recovery of 28,000 pieces of Yaba tablets, a potent synthetic stimulant. In addition to the narcotics, law enforcement officers seized a microbus utilised for the transport of the illicit substances. The formal details of the arrests and the subsequent recovery were disclosed in a press release issued by the CMP on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
According to official statements from the Detective Branch, the intervention was initiated on Monday following the receipt of confidential intelligence regarding a large-scale shipment of narcotics. Acting on this information, a specialised team conducted a raid in the Shikalbaha College Bazar area under the jurisdiction of the Karnafuli Police Station. The suspects were intercepted in front of a workshop located opposite the Arif Ullah Shopping Complex.
Profiles of the Detained Suspects
The four individuals taken into custody have been identified as residents of the Cox’s Bazar district, a region frequently identified as a primary transit point for narcotics entering the country. The suspects are:
Md. Jashim Uddin (48): Hailing from the Mahajpara area of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila.
Abdur Rahim, alias Tipu (34): A resident of the Rajapalong locality within the Ukhia Upazila.
Md. Saiful Islam (32): Also from the East Mahajpara area in Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila.
Mahmudul Haque (44): A resident of the Khunia Palong area in the Ramu Upazila.
During the search of the individuals and their transport vehicle, officers discovered the cache of 28,000 Yaba tablets. These tablets, typically a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine, were packaged for distribution. Furthermore, the authorities impounded a white Toyota Noah microbus, which was allegedly being employed as a logistical tool to ferry the contraband from the border regions toward the urban centre of Chittagong.
Criminal History and Legal Proceedings
Initial background checks conducted by the police have revealed that at least two of the detainees are habitual offenders with significant criminal records. Md. Jashim Uddin is reportedly facing five prior cases filed under the Narcotics Control Act. Similarly, Abdur Rahim, alias Tipu, has a documented history of criminal activity, with two existing cases against him—one pertaining to narcotics and another filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.
Following the successful raid, a formal case has been registered at the Karnafuli Police Station. The charges have been framed under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018, which carries stringent penalties for the possession and trafficking of prohibited substances. The suspects are currently in police custody as investigators seek to uncover the broader network associated with this shipment, including the intended recipients and the source of the narcotics.
Regional Context and Enforcement Strategies
The Shikalbaha area, where the interception occurred, is a strategic gateway for vehicles entering Chittagong from the south. Law enforcement agencies have intensified surveillance in this corridor due to its frequent use by smuggling syndicates. The CMP has reiterated its commitment to a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding the trade of Yaba, which remains a significant social and security challenge in the region.
Analysts suggest that the seizure of 28,000 tablets represents a substantial disruption to the local supply chain. The use of passenger microbuses to conceal narcotics is a common tactic intended to evade detection at checkpoints. The Port Division of the Detective Branch has stated that further operations are planned to target the logistics and financial infrastructure of drug trafficking groups operating within the metropolitan area. The seized vehicle and the recovered contraband will be presented as evidence during the upcoming judicial proceedings.