More than six kilograms of heroin were recovered from a shed used for storing firewood in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, during an early-morning operation on Tuesday. A 35-year-old man, identified as Md Mehedi Hasan, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The operation was carried out by the Special Response Battalion (SRB)-5, Rajshahi, at Mehedi’s home in Omorpur Hothatpara area of Shyampur Union. According to the authorities, the raid took place at around 5.30am on 29 September following information about the suspected storage of narcotics.
Mehedi Hasan, son of the late Mofiz Uddin, is a resident of Omorpur Hothatpara. Officers first searched his home before, based on information obtained during the operation, turning their attention to a firewood storage shed in front of the house.
A total of 6 kilograms and 751 grams of heroin was recovered from inside the shed, according to Major Manzurul Kabir Piyal, deputy commander of the headquarters company of SRB-5 in Rajshahi.
The officer said the operation was launched after the security personnel received confidential information concerning the suspected possession of heroin. During preliminary questioning, Mehedi allegedly admitted that he had kept the heroin in his possession for the purpose of selling it.
According to Major Piyal, Mehedi and another man, identified as Al-Mamun, had allegedly been involved for some time in collecting heroin and selling it in Chapainawabganj and other parts of the Rajshahi Division.
Al-Mamun reportedly fled during the operation. Authorities said efforts were continuing to locate and arrest him.
The recovery is significant in terms of the quantity of heroin involved. The operation also highlights the role of intelligence-led searches in identifying suspected storage locations, including premises that may not initially appear to be connected with narcotics activity.
Chapainawabganj, including Shibganj, has long been an area where law-enforcement agencies conduct operations against narcotics trafficking because of its location in the north-western part of the country. In this case, however, the authorities have not yet disclosed how the seized heroin was obtained, where it was intended to be supplied, or the wider network allegedly connected to the drugs.
Those questions are expected to form part of the investigation. Establishing the source of the heroin, its intended destinations and whether other people were involved could help investigators determine the full scope of the alleged operation.
A case has been filed against Mehedi Hasan at Shibganj Police Station, Major Piyal said. The arrested man has consequently been brought into the legal process, while the search for Al-Mamun remains under way.
The allegations against Mehedi and the claims made during preliminary questioning will be subject to the applicable legal proceedings. The investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the possession and intended sale of the seized narcotics, as well as whether others were involved.
