In a striking anti-drug operation, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) intercepted a young man carrying nearly 2,200 yaba tablets concealed within his stomach in Jashore. The operation took place in the early hours of Tuesday, 17 February, at approximately 2:30 am, at the Monihar Bus Stand in the city. The suspect, later identified as Masud Rana, 20, was immediately admitted to Jashore 250-Bed General Hospital, where medical personnel are carefully extracting the tablets under continuous supervision.
Masud Rana, the son of Hossain Ali and a resident of Gorpara Colony in Sharsha Upazila, was discovered after RAB received a tip-off indicating he was transporting yaba from Cox’s Bazar to the Benapole border. An X-ray conducted on Wednesday, 18 February, confirmed the presence of a substantial number of foreign objects in his stomach, consistent with the suspected narcotics.
Major A.T.M. Fazle Rabbi Prince, commanding officer of RAB-6 Jashore Camp, stated that the arrest followed precise intelligence operations. “Our personnel intercepted the individual at the Monihar Bus Stand based on credible information that he intended to smuggle yaba across the Benapole border,” he explained.
During preliminary questioning, Masud Rana admitted to ingesting approximately 2,200 yaba tablets to avoid detection. He also revealed that the drugs had been collected from Cox’s Bazar and were destined for smuggling across the border.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect remains under continuous medical observation while the extraction procedure proceeds carefully to safeguard his life. Legal proceedings under the Narcotics Control Act have been initiated, with formal charges currently being processed.
RAB officials emphasised that this operation forms part of a broader, sustained effort to dismantle drug networks in the region. “Operations of this nature act as a deterrent to organised drug trafficking,” said Major Prince. “We remain committed to vigilant monitoring and rapid intervention to curb illicit drug smuggling across the country.”
Summary of the Incident
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of Arrested | Masud Rana |
| Age | 20 |
| Father’s Name | Hossain Ali |
| Address | Gorpara Colony, Sharsha Upazila |
| Arrest Location | Monihar Bus Stand, Jashore |
| Date & Time | 17 February, 2:30 am |
| Seized Yaba | 2,200 tablets |
| Intended Destination | Benapole border |
| Hospital Admission | Jashore 250-Bed General Hospital |
| Legal Status | Case filed under Narcotics Control Act |
The case highlights the ongoing challenges authorities face in combating drug trafficking and underscores RAB’s proactive approach in intercepting high-risk smuggling attempts before they reach national borders.