Three people, including a contract-based ambulance driver, have been arrested after 1,500 yaba tablets were allegedly found inside a government ambulance belonging to Manikganj Medical College Hospital.
The arrests were made by the District Detective Branch of Police during an operation against suspected drug trafficking in Manikganj. The development was confirmed on Friday, 28 August, by Manabendra Balo, an inspector with the district Detective Branch.
Those arrested have been identified as Farid Mohammad Saikat, 47, from the Naya Basati area of Manikganj Sadar; Khondkar Atikur Rahman, also known as Rubel, 40, from Paschim Seota; and ambulance driver Rezaul Karim Khan, also known as Milon, 41. Rezaul is a resident of Jhitka Kalahati village in Harirampur upazila.
According to the Detective Branch, officers increased surveillance around Beutha intersection after receiving confidential information about a suspected drug consignment. At around 4pm on Thursday, police stopped and searched a government ambulance operated by Manikganj Medical College Hospital.
During the search, officers allegedly recovered 1,500 yaba tablets from Farid and Atikur, who were travelling in the ambulance. Rezaul, the driver of the vehicle, was subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.
Police said Rezaul had been working at Manikganj Medical College Hospital as a contract-based driver since May 2013. He was responsible for operating one of the hospital’s four ambulances.
The Detective Branch said Farid already faces several drug-related cases. Investigators allege that Atikur worked with him and that the pair had been using the government ambulance to transport drugs for some time. The claim is part of the preliminary investigation, and police are expected to examine how the vehicle was allegedly used and whether others were involved.
The seizure has also drawn attention because the vehicle in question is a government ambulance assigned to a medical institution. Such ambulances are intended primarily for transporting patients and supporting emergency medical services. The alleged use of one for drug transportation has therefore raised questions about oversight and the monitoring of official vehicles, although the investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, director of Manikganj Medical College Hospital, said the authorities had been informed of the matter. He said the hospital had requested the Detective Branch to take legal action and that proceedings were under way to dismiss Rezaul from his position.
Manabendra Balo said the government ambulance allegedly used for transporting the drugs had been seized. A case has been filed against all three arrested individuals under the Narcotics Control Act.
The investigation is expected to establish the source and intended destination of the yaba, the circumstances in which the ambulance was allegedly used, and whether the suspects had any wider network involved in the alleged drug trafficking.
