Police in Daudkandi, Cumilla, have arrested four alleged drug traffickers and seized a substantial quantity of cannabis and yaba tablets during a coordinated special operation carried out in the early hours of Monday (4 April). The drives were conducted at two separate locations under Daudkandi Model Police Station, including the Gomti Bridge toll plaza area on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway and Mohammadpur area of the upazila.
According to police sources, the first operation was launched following a tip-off at the Gomti Bridge toll plaza. During a search of a freight-carrying vehicle, officers recovered 15 kilograms of cannabis. Two individuals were detained at the scene in connection with the seizure. Preliminary investigation suggests that the arrested suspects had long been involved in transporting illegal narcotics across different parts of the country using long-distance highway routes.
A second operation was carried out later the same day in the Mohammadpur area of Daudkandi. Acting on local intelligence regarding suspicious activity near the highway, police intercepted two more suspects while they were allegedly engaged in drug distribution. A total of 52 yaba tablets were recovered from their possession during the raid.
All four accused have been named in separate cases filed under the Narcotics Control Act. They were produced before the court and subsequently sent to Cumilla District Jail on Monday afternoon.
Details of Arrests and Seizures
| Name | Age | Address | Seized Items | Arrest Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Md. Rana Bepari | 38 | Madaripur Sadar, Kalikapur | 15 kg cannabis | Gomti Bridge Toll Plaza |
| Md. Sajib | 31 | Patuakhali, Sultanpur | 15 kg cannabis | Gomti Bridge Toll Plaza |
| Md. Sujon | 26 | Daudkandi, Mohammadpur | 52 yaba tablets | Mohammadpur area |
| Md. Babul | 35 | Daudkandi | 52 yaba tablets | Mohammadpur area |
A senior officer from Daudkandi Model Police Station stated that anti-narcotics drives in the area have been intensified, particularly along the strategically important Dhaka–Chattogram Highway, which is frequently used by traffickers for inter-district transportation of illegal substances. He added that enhanced surveillance and regular checkpoints have significantly improved the ability to intercept drug consignments.
Police further noted that interrogation of the arrested individuals is ongoing to identify other members of the network involved in the trafficking chain. Initial suspicion suggests that the group was part of a wider inter-district drug distribution syndicate operating through highway routes.
Local authorities have welcomed the crackdown, describing it as a significant step in ongoing efforts to curb narcotics trade in the region. They also urged the public to remain vigilant and provide information to law enforcement agencies to assist in sustaining anti-drug operations.
Officials expressed hope that continued coordinated operations and intelligence-led policing would help bring the drug trade in the area under greater control in the coming months.