Massive hunt on for heroin smuggler

Law enforcers launched a massive manhunt for Abbas who allegedly gave 23.5kg heroin, seized at Zia International Airport on Monday, to Ariful Islam Bhuiyan and Mahmud Ali, the apparent conduits.
A day after the huge drug haul, Rapid Action Battalion-8 (Rab-8) seized one kg of heroin from two drug traders at Mohammadpur in the capital.
Acting on a tip off, a Rab team led by Major Osmani arrested Sumon Mridha and Zakir Hossain around 3:00am and seized the heroin. Rab arrested the two near Krishi Market from a rickshaw, Rab officials said.
Members of different law enforcement agencies launched drives at different places in a bid to arrest Abbas after Ariful and Mahmud told interrogators that he gave the heroin to them.
They also told interrogators that they are carriers of the drug and were taking the consignment to Abbas's brother Kamal in China on contract. They claimed they do not know the whereabouts of Kamal and Abbas.
"We will interrogate them intensively to know details about Kamal and Abbas and to ascertain whether they are members of an international drug smuggling syndicate or just carriers," an interrogator told The Daily Star wishing anonymity.
Customs officials and members of a task force working at Zia International Airport (ZIA) seized the heroin from the luggage of the two Bangladeshi citizens before they were to leave for Kunming, China.
This is the largest ever heroin haul since the sensational 24kg seizure at Hotel Rajmoni Isha Khan on September 20, 1999.
A top official at the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) said they suspect that the ultimate destination of the heroin was China as the use of synthetic drugs like heroin marked a sharp rise in that country.
The official said Bangladesh has been used as a safe route for heroin smuggling to different countries for a long time.
The UK customs in May 2005 accused five Bangladeshi business firms of smuggling heroin to the UK in the guise of food, toiletries, cosmetics and floor tiles.
ARRESTEES REMANDED
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka yesterday placed Ariful Islam Bhuiyan and Mahmud Ali on a five-day remand in the case filed in connection with carrying the 23.5kg of heroin.
Investigation officer (IO) of the case, Sub-inspector Zillur Rahman of Airport Police Station produced them before the court with a prayer for a seven-day remand.
In the forwarding report, the IO said the accused are involved with an international drug cartel. He said the accused need to be quizzed to glean information from them about others involved with the cartel and their whereabouts.