New drugs, new challenges

• Marijuana smuggling rose by 61pc from 2020 to 2021 
• Kush smuggled into country from Netherlands, Canada 
• Per 100g of kush sold at Tk 1 to 1.5 lakh 
• Kush significantly more potent than regular marijuana
• In South-Asia, kush largely used in Afghanistan, Pakistan, some areas of North India
• Continued use  can damage liver, kidney

Despite law enforcers' tough vigilance, smugglers are trying to introduce new types of narcotics in the country and are doing business using social media.

Just two years back, crystal meth was relatively unknown in Bangladesh.

In February 2019, only 5 grammes of meth was seized. But within years, it has spread to different corners of the country, according to law enforcers.

The database shows that over 21 kg of meth was seized in 2021 alone.

Recently, a new narcotic -- kush, a type of cannabis -- is worrying law enforcers.

Mehedi Hasan, assistant director of Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), told The Daily Star yesterday that smugglers are bringing in regular marijuana consignments and providing it in the market using names like "kush" or "POD".

According to DNC's annual report, around 2,742 kg of marijuana was seized in 2020, while the amount rose to 4,417 kg in 2021, a 61 percent increase.

Accepting the fact, Mehedi said high seizures reflect high smuggling. "But we remain alert for any kind of activity."

Mehedi added, "We are now trying to figure out the smuggling routes and selling methods."

For the first time, Rapid Action Battalion seized kush on August 1, after arresting a youth, Onaisi Sayed alias Rear Sayed, during a drive in Gulshan and Mohammadpur.

Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab's legal and media wing, told The Daily Star yesterday that Onaisi brought marijuana seeds from Canada and the Netherlands and cultivated them in Mohammadpur using a heat-control method.

It takes three to four months to produce 300 to 400 grammes of kush, he said. Onaisi used to sell per 100-gramme of kush for Tk 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

About the selling method, Moin said Onaisi's main targets were the affluent. "He used to take orders on social media and met the buyers in person to sell it," he said.

"We have managed to identify around seven to eight people [involved with Onaisi], one of whom is abroad. A drive is underway to arrest them," added Moin.

Along with Rab, police and DNC members are also trying to trace whether any other group has gotten involved in selling and smuggling kush.

Regarding Onaisi's arrest, Rab has filed a case with Gulshan Police Station.

Mamun Mia, sub-inspector of the station and the case's investigating officer, said they have interrogated Onaisi during a three-day police remand.

"We have received some information. We are now trying to find out who were the buyers of kush and from where and how it entered the country," he added.

Md Azizul Islam, additional director general of DNC, told The Daily Star yesterday that they have already started getting information about new types of drugs and are increasing vigilance to stop their spread.

KUSH'S EFFECTS, AVAILABILITY

Kush is significantly more potent than regular marijuana, said Dulal Krishna Saha, chief chemist of DNC.

Continued use of kush can damage the liver and kidney, said Dulal.

About the availability, Dulal said the recent seizure of kush was for the first time in Bangladesh.

"This narcotic is mainly found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and some areas of Northern India. Our country's environment is not appropriate for kush cultivation, but it can be done by following a scientific process," he said.