In a case that highlights the increasingly sophisticated nature of the global narcotics trade, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has uncovered a high-tech marijuana laboratory inside a residential property in Dhaka’s Wari district. The facility, dedicated to the cultivation of “Kush”—a potent, premium strain of cannabis—was allegedly operated by Tawsif Hasan, a 22-year-old US citizen who used internet-enabled technology to manage the lab from his home in California.
A Transatlantic Investigation
The operation was triggered by an attempted smuggling of Yaba tablets from Bangladesh to the United States. On Tuesday, 6 January 2026, acting on a tip-off, DNC officials raided an international courier office in Tongi, Gazipur. There, they intercepted a parcel containing 32 Yaba tablets meticulously concealed for shipment to San Francisco.
By scrutinising CCTV footage and digital footprints, investigators identified a young woman in Dhaka who had booked the parcel using a forged identity. Her arrest in Khilgaon proved pivotal, as she confessed to acting on behalf of her former school friend, Tawsif Hasan. Her testimony led officers to the Wari residence, where they discovered a professional-grade drug production hub.
The Californian Connection
According to Mehedi Hasan, Deputy Director of the DNC’s Dhaka Intelligence Office, the setup was remarkably advanced. Tawsif, who moved to the US after completing his ‘O’ Levels in Dhaka, had imported high-grade Kush seeds from California. He converted his bedroom and the building’s rooftop into a temperature-controlled environment using tin, foil insulation, and specialized lighting.
The most striking feature of the operation was the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Tawsif reportedly monitored and adjusted the laboratory’s temperature and humidity levels remotely from California, ensuring the “Kush” plants thrived in Dhaka’s tropical climate.
Table: Overview of the Dismantled Drug Syndicate
| Category | Information |
| Primary Suspect | Tawsif Hasan (US Citizen, 22) |
| Cultivation Lab | Wari, Dhaka (Rooftop & Bedroom) |
| Key Seizures | Kush seeds, live plants, harvested Kush, and foreign liquor |
| Trafficking Item | 32 Yaba tablets (intercepted in Tongi) |
| Destination | 825 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA, USA |
| Technology | Remote-controlled surveillance & climate automation |
| Arrests Made | The female associate and the building caretaker (Raju Sheikh) |
Exploiting Old Ties
The investigation revealed that Tawsif leveraged his childhood friendship with the arrested woman to facilitate the smuggling of Yaba to the US. While he cultivated Kush for local distribution in Dhaka, he sought Yaba for his personal use or trade in California. The building’s caretaker, Raju Sheikh, was also taken into custody for his alleged role in assisting the female associate.
Tawsif, whose father is deceased, had been living in the US as a naturalised citizen but frequented Bangladesh multiple times a year. Authorities believe he targeted his former classmate to manage the risky logistics of international shipping while he remained overseas.
The DNC has filed a formal case at Tongi West Police Station and is currently exploring international cooperation to address Tawsif’s involvement from US soil.