Cox’s Bazar, Sept 23 (V7N) – Police have arrested a college student with 20,000 yaba tablets during a raid at a women’s hostel of Cox’s Bazar Government College, raising concerns over the alleged use of educational institutions to store and distribute illegal drugs.

The student, identified as Sharifa, was arrested at the college’s Dolonchapa Women’s Hostel on the night of September 20. Police said the raid was conducted with the cooperation of college authorities, with female police officers also taking part in the operation.

Sharifa is a third-year honours student in the Mathematics Department of Cox’s Bazar Government College. She is from the Moulvibazar Ali Akbarpara area of Hnila Union in Teknaf.

Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Mohammad Ali confirmed the arrest and seizure. He said police were investigating the source and ownership of the yaba consignment and would take legal action against anyone found involved.

According to police, Sharifa initially told investigators that the yaba had been sent to her through a parcel from an aunt in Hnila. Police said they were examining the information to determine whether other members of an organised drug-trafficking network were involved.

Sharifa’s family is from Hnila, and her father, Maulana Liaquat Ali, is reportedly the superintendent of a local madrasa. Local sources said Sharifa has relatives in Chattogram, where some of her family members live and study.

The arrest has drawn attention among students, parents and teachers, who have called for a thorough investigation into how such a large quantity of yaba reached a college hostel and for all those responsible to be brought to justice.

Local reports have also alleged that Sharifa’s aunt, Beli Akter, and uncle, Ershadur Rahman, have links to the illegal yaba trade in the Teknaf area. However, these allegations have not been independently established, and no police statement publicly confirming their involvement was found in the reports reviewed.

Attempts were reportedly made to contact Ershadur Rahman for comment, but he did not respond. Sharifa’s father confirmed that Beli Akter is his sister-in-law but did not confirm the allegation that she had supplied the yaba. He referred questions about the matter to his daughter.

Police said the investigation was continuing and that further action would be taken based on the evidence gathered.

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