Drugs worth Tk 1,700cr seized since inception

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Director General Benazir Ahmed yesterday said the elite force had detained 68,498 drug traders and seized drugs worth Tk 1,700 crore since the inception of Rab in 2004.

"Strict action is being taken against drug traders and drug abusers," he said at a press conference at Rab media centre in the capital's Karwan Bazar yesterday.

Following the prime minister's May 3 call to be alert against drugs, the force conducted a special drive from May 4 to May 13, he said.

During the period, mobile courts run by Rab punished 1,415 drug abusers to different terms of jail sentence. Around Tk 20 lakh was fined and drugs worth Tk 15 crore were seized. In addition, cases were filed against 381 during the period, Benazir told the conference.

The DG said, “We want to continue this drive. Rab wants to conduct more mobile courts to hand down instant punishment to the offenders. Regular cases as per law will also be filed where it is necessary."

Terming drug abuse a national problem, Benazir said, “We want cooperation from all so that the drug traders cannot misuse the law”.

He also called upon students, teachers, guardians, political leaders, religious leaders, imams and people of all strata of life to work for uprooting the root of drugs.

He requested the people to inform Rab about drug-related issues through mobile app, website, Facebook page and hotline of the force.

Benazir said if the media publish or air the drug-related news, it becomes easier for the law enforcers to conduct drives.

Asked if any member of the elite force is involved in drug trade or supply, he claimed that they had no such information.