Explainer: What happens to an area declared a drug-prone zone?

Drug-prone zones have become a topic of discussion after it was recently revealed that the government was planning to declare Chattogram metropolitan areas and Cox's Bazar district as such.

According to Section 59 of the Narcotics Control Act-2018 (amended 2020) says the government may, for public interest, declare any region of the country a special drug-prone zone for the required amount of time, taking into account the danger posed by drug abuse.

A deputy director of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) said three factors are considered when declaring an area a drug-prone zone -- whether it is an entry point for drugs, whether there is a high number of drug-related cases, and if there is a high number of seizure of narcotics.

Once an area is declared a drug-prone zone, a taskforce will be formed with DNC and other law enforcement agencies involved in drug control. A list will be made of drug dealers, money launderers using drug money and the accused in drug-related cases, he added.

He further said special drives to stop drug peddling and various demand-reduction programmes would be taken alongside programmes to rehabilitate those coming out of jail after serving their terms.

A list of Rohingyas involved in the drugs trade will also be made and action would be taken against them, he added.

Citing DNC statistics, the officer said over 4.37 lakh pieces of yaba were seized by various agencies last year, and 5.31 lakh yaba pills were seized in 2021.

He said 68 percent of the drugs were seized from Chattogram division.

Along with yaba, drug dealers are now smuggling crystal methamphetamine, popularly known as "Ice", a highly addictive narcotic, from Myanmar through different routes in Cox's Bazar district.

Different agencies seized around 37 kg of 'Ice' in 2021, and over 104 kg 'Ice' in 2022, said the official.