A mother and her son have been arrested in a major anti-narcotics operation conducted by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Burichang upazila of Cumilla district, with authorities recovering 20 kilograms of cannabis from their possession.
The arrest was made on Thursday night (9 April) during a targeted raid in the Gobindapur area under Burichang Police Station, following what officials described as credible intelligence regarding drug trafficking activities in the locality.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Robina Akter (38), wife of Md Russell of Gobindapur village, and her son Md Rifat (25). Both were taken into custody at the scene before being transported for further interrogation and legal processing.
Details of Seizure and Arrest
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Operation date | 9 April (Thursday night) |
| Location | Gobindapur, Burichang, Cumilla |
| Arrested persons | Robina Akter (38), Md Rifat (25) |
| Relationship | Mother and son |
| Seized contraband | 20 kilograms of cannabis (ganja) |
| Conducting force | RAB-11, CPC-2 |
| Intelligence basis | Secret information |
According to RAB officials, a specialised team from RAB-11, CPC-2 carried out the operation after receiving intelligence reports indicating that a local network was involved in storing and distributing large quantities of narcotics.
During the raid, the team detained the mother–son duo and conducted a search of their premises, where 20 kilograms of cannabis were reportedly recovered. Law enforcement officials stated that the quantity seized suggests involvement in organised trafficking rather than isolated possession.
Preliminary interrogation indicates that the arrested individuals had allegedly been involved in procuring cannabis from border-adjacent areas of Cumilla for an extended period. They are suspected of distributing the drugs both wholesale and retail across various parts of the district and potentially beyond, contributing to a wider narcotics supply chain.
Authorities believe the location of Burichang, which lies close to regional transit routes, may have been exploited for the movement and distribution of illegal substances.
RAB Statement
RAB-11 Company Commander Major Sadman Ibn Alom confirmed the arrests and reiterated the ongoing commitment of the elite force to curb drug-related offences.
He stated that anti-narcotics operations will continue to be intensified nationwide to dismantle networks involved in the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs, which he described as a serious social menace affecting communities across the country.
“The campaign against narcotics remains one of our top priorities. Operations will be further strengthened in the coming days to ensure that those involved in such criminal activities are brought to justice,” he said.
He further confirmed that legal proceedings against the arrested individuals are underway and that they will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution under existing narcotics control laws.
Broader Context
The arrest comes amid ongoing nationwide drives against drug trafficking networks, particularly in border-adjacent districts where cannabis and other illicit substances are frequently smuggled through informal routes. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that family-linked trafficking units are increasingly being used to evade suspicion and maintain local distribution channels.
Authorities have pledged to continue surveillance and intelligence-led operations in vulnerable regions to prevent the expansion of narcotics networks and to protect communities from the social and health impacts of drug abuse.