Man held with 2,820 yaba pills at Dhaka airport

A man was arrested with 2,820 pieces of yaba tablets hidden in his stomach at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, said Airport Armed Police Battalion yesterday.

A case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act with the Airport police in this connection.

On information, the arrestee, Hossain Ahmed, 60, was detained near the northern side of the airport's Balaka building after arriving in Dhaka from Cox's Bazar on Biman Bangladesh domestic flight BS-152 on Wednesday.

Upon questioning, Hossain admitted to carrying yaba pills inside his stomach.

He was taken to the airport medical unit, where an X-ray revealed 30 capsule-shaped objects in his abdomen.

He was later transferred to Kurmitola General Hospital, where, under medical supervision, he expelled 30 tape-wrapped packets through natural means. Inside the packets, a total of 2,820 yaba tablets were found.

Police said Hossain had long been involved in drug trafficking.

Airport Armed Police said over 16,000 yaba pills were recovered in separate recent drives, which led to the arrest of five other drug traffickers.

"Recently, drug smuggling through the airport has noticeably increased. We remain alert to prevent any criminal activities in and around the airport," said Additional Superintendent of Police Anita Rani Sutradhar of the Airport Armed Police Battalion.