In a significant drug bust in Bara Lekha, Moulvibazar, police have apprehended 26-year-old Mahmud Hasan Rasel with 4,000 yaba tablets. The arrest took place on Wednesday at approximately 7:45 pm in front of the East Gaziteka Mosque within Bara Lekha municipality. During the operation, two of Rasel’s accomplices managed to flee upon sensing the presence of law enforcement.
Rasel, a resident of BC Keshri Gool (Madhya Dimai) village under Bara Lekha Sadar Union, is the son of Riaz Uddin. Local sources describe him as a familiar figure in the area, known among young residents.
According to police, the operation followed a tip-off about a large shipment of yaba arriving in the area. Acting on this information, OC Moniruzzaman Khan of Bara Lekha Police led a targeted night raid in the East Gaziteka area. Officers involved included SI Sheikh Kamrul Islam, ASI Fazle Azim, Santosh Kumar Biswas, Sultan Ahmad, and several other members of the local force.
During the raid, police recovered the drugs in 20 separate packets, amounting to a total of 4,000 yaba tablets. Rasel’s two associates managed to escape, but the authorities have reportedly identified them based on information provided by the arrested suspect. Alongside the drugs, officers seized an unregistered Hero motorcycle used for distribution and a Redmi mobile phone belonging to Rasel. The seized yaba is estimated to have a street value of around 1.2 million Bangladeshi Taka.
OC Moniruzzaman Khan confirmed that a case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act and that investigations are ongoing. He emphasised that the operation is part of the police’s continued efforts to curb drug trafficking in the region and that apprehending the remaining suspects remains a priority.
A summary of the operation is presented in the table below:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Arrested Individual | Mahmud Hasan Rasel (26) |
| Residence | BC Keshri Gool, Madhya Dimai, Bara Lekha Sadar Union |
| Operation Lead | OC Moniruzzaman Khan |
| Officers Involved | SI Sheikh Kamrul Islam, ASI Fazle Azim, Santosh Kumar Biswas, Sultan Ahmad, others |
| Drugs Seized | 4,000 yaba tablets (20 packets) |
| Other Items Seized | Unregistered Hero motorcycle, Redmi mobile phone |
| Estimated Value | Approx. 1.2 million BDT |
| Accomplices | 2 individuals fled; identities confirmed |
| Legal Action | Case filed under Narcotics Control Act; investigation ongoing |
Local residents have expressed relief at the swift action, commending the police for disrupting what appeared to be a substantial drug distribution network. Authorities have pledged to intensify monitoring and ensure the remaining suspects are brought to justice.
This arrest marks one of the largest single seizures of yaba in Bara Lekha in recent months, underscoring the ongoing challenge of drug trafficking in the region.