Peddling continues despite ringleaders' going into hiding

Amid administrative strong drive against drugs, smuggling of different drugs are being continued at Kazipur, Kathuli frontier under Gangni upazila of the district. Though some listed drug smugglers have been arrested in the special drive, smuggling is on, locals opined. In order to avoid arrest some top drug traders went into hiding but the trading is running by the middle class traders. Among them some are new.

After special drive against drugs,  Meherpur police managed to seized 1382 gram hemp, 14 gm heroin, 368  bottles phensidyl, 146 pieces of Yabba tablets from 17 May to 26 June . One drug merchant died in a gun battle  with the police a few days back.

Many information received from the locals  about the drug traders during the time of visiting in the frontier villages . Many locals opined that the drug smugglers staying themselves beyond the law taking shelter under the influential umbrellas. Local people preferring not to be named gave the name of drug smugglers. They are Sentu Mia of Garabaria, Salam and Monirul Islam Moni of Ramkrishanapur Dhola, Ahmmed Ali, Miskat Hossain, Mizanur Rahman Poltu, Rafiqul Islam of Khashmohol, Moti of Rongmohal, Nazmul and Laltu Mia of Sohratola, Alam Hossain, Mandu of Harabhanga, Abdul Halim, Ripon Hossain, Atiar Hossain of Kazipur Zoha Mia of Mothurapur, Faruk Hossain and Foysol Hossain of Tentulbaria, Magreb Ali of Koromdi, Zoha military and Shariful of Kollaynpur villages under Gangni upazila of Meherpur district. Among them Magreb Ali and Abdur Rashid were held in the current drive and now in hajat. Some top drug traders are also involved in fire arms trading. The youths of the area used to trade drug under their auspices. The drug traders became multimillionaires through drug trading. Those are ringleaders are found to become endeavoring to release the drugs carriers as when they are netted.  Locals opined that some time the competent authority can’t take any strong  steps against them due to  special political identity.

Teluk of  frontier village Garabaria, Nur Haque, Shafi, Khoshbar, Bashirul, Gomer, Rahidul of Ramkrishnapur, Tariqul, Afsarul, Rafiqul of village Khashmohol of Gangni upazila used to reach the smuggled drugs of top traders to their desired destination. They also do the same business, it has learnt. Some rising youths have been added in smuggling as a result they are new to the concerned authority.

When asked Monoara Khatun wife of Nur Haque said, her husband and his brother would bring contrabands from the border in the past. Now they have become old and left the work. But they were neither  involved in bringing drugs in the past nor in present.

Local people said, drug smuggler Monirul and Salam of village Ramkrihanapur Dhola have become affluent. Salam has two single story building but Monirul residing in a hut though he has a few fish ponds and some arable lands. Many opined that in order to avoid the administrative eyes he live in a hut. The prime smugglers staying themselves out of law though some small traders and takers used to bring to book.

Buluara, wife of top drug trader Salam informed that her husband went into hiding with his second wife for on going special drive against drugs.  She also claimed that she left him for illegal drug business and residing separately with her son. 

It has learnt that Shafi has taken the responsibility of smuggling of Monirul Islam’s goods. Throwing the dust into the watchful eyes of the administration Monirul Islam used to go and come from his village and doing the needful about drug business during the time.

Local sources said, from Kathuli to Khashmohol frontier the drug takers are frequenting though they were off as and when the special drive against drugs launched. It could be possible to net the original drug traders after interrogation the drug takers.

It has also learnt that after hiding of the branded drug traders to some extent some new drug traders and carriers emerged. Among them Chan Mia of frontier village Ramkrishnapur Dhola notable who would carry the drugs of top trader Babu of village Kathuli. After the death of Babu in the jail now Chan mia himself doing the business.  Excepting that Dablu, Bablu and Alamin joined recently in drug trading and carrying.

Harendranath Sarkar, Officer-in-charge of Gangni police station said, they arrested some drugs traders and takers and produced to the court. They are trying of find out the delinquents those who went into hiding. He also said that they are trying to hold them who take over the charge of looking after the drug business of the hided  traders.

Anisur Rahman, Police Super told to me that drug traders would not be spared whoever may be. Meanwhile, he claimed that police made the list of the drug traders and takers and Meherpur Police relentlessly working in order to eradicate the drugs from Meherpur.  He also issued a directive saying no students and youths will be spared if they are found in the town street after 8pm.