Teknaf, Aug 20 (V7N) — Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have seized a total of 7 lakh 72 thousand yaba tablets in separate operations in Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar. One person was arrested in the Teknaf operation, while no arrests were made in the Ukhiya seizure.

In Ukhiya, BGB recovered 6 lakh 72 thousand yaba tablets from the Anjumanpara-Faisakhali border area on Wednesday night.

According to Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB), a special patrol team from the Balukhali and Palongkhali Border Outposts spotted the suspicious movement of several people in the area at around 9:30pm.

BGB said thermal imaging equipment detected seven to eight people allegedly crossing from Myanmar towards Bangladesh. When BGB personnel challenged them, the individuals reportedly abandoned five sacks and fled towards a nearby village.

A subsequent search of the sacks led to the recovery of 6 lakh 72 thousand yaba tablets. The tablets were reportedly packed in blue airtight packets inside khaki-coloured packages.

BGB personnel conducted further searches in the surrounding area but found no other illegal items. An operation was also conducted to locate the fleeing suspects, but no one was arrested.

Lieutenant Colonel Zahirul Islam, commander of Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB), said intelligence surveillance had been strengthened to identify those involved in yaba trafficking and bring them to justice.

He added that anti-narcotics and anti-smuggling operations would continue along the border.

Meanwhile, RAB has recovered another 1 lakh yaba tablets from a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw in Teknaf and arrested a suspected driver.

The arrested man was identified as Sultan Ahmed, 38, a resident of South Hnila’s Purba Ranggikhali Lamapara area in Hnila Union. RAB said he was the driver of the vehicle.

The seizure was made on Monday afternoon near Uluchamari Government Primary School in Ward No. 6 of Hnila Union.

According to RAB-15’s Teknaf Camp, acting on intelligence information, a checkpoint was set up in front of Noor Sadia Store near the school at around 5pm.

At approximately 5:05pm, RAB personnel signalled a CNG auto-rickshaw coming from Uluchamari to stop. The driver allegedly attempted to flee but was subsequently detained.

A search of the vehicle found a sack concealed behind the passenger seats. RAB said the sack contained 1 lakh yaba tablets.

The yaba tablets and the CNG auto-rickshaw were seized. RAB said a case was filed against Sultan Ahmed under the Narcotics Control Act with Teknaf Model Police Station.

Authorities said anti-narcotics operations would continue in the Cox’s Bazar border region to curb the trafficking of yaba and other illicit drugs.

END/MSI/SMA/