Some cops in Ctg drawn into yaba trade

The involvement of some police personnel in yaba smuggling has become a growing concern for the police force in Chattogram.

In six separate incidents across the district between August 2025 and April this year, six policemen were arrested with yaba. More than 15 others have been suspended for allegedly embezzling yaba seized at check posts, according to Chattogram District Police and Chattogram Metropolitan Police sources.

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Most recently, nine CMP personnel were suspended after allegedly embezzling around 1 lakh yaba tablets recovered from a member of Cox’s Bazar District Police near Shah Amanat New Bridge in Bakalia.

Officials said yaba traffickers pay commissions on a per-tablet basis. As policemen can pass through checkpoints without raising suspicion, some have become involved in transporting the drug.

Senior police officials alleged that the identities of policemen involved in drug trafficking were sometimes deliberately omitted from first information reports in an attempt to protect the force’s image. In some cases, efforts were also made to prevent such information from reaching the media.

Officials said yaba traffickers pay commissions on a per-tablet basis. As policemen can pass through checkpoints without raising suspicion, some have become involved in transporting the drug.

A police officer said, “A joint network involving police personnel and yaba traffickers is operating across the region to smuggle yaba from Cox’s Bazar through Chattogram to Dhaka and rest of the country. Because the payment for transporting these drugs is significant, some police officers are being lured into the syndicate.”

“Mostly, officers who visit Cox’s Bazar or whose homes are in Cox’s Bazar district but are posted elsewhere have become involved in this trade. We have instructed all checkpoints to ensure that no one receives preferential treatment by using their police identity,” he added.

CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Showkat Ali said no one would be spared because of their identity as a police officer if found involved in drug trafficking.

“They will face both departmental disciplinary action and legal proceedings.”

Chattogram District Superintendent of Police Masud Alam said, “Whoever is involved in drug trafficking will be dealt with as per law. Their identity is not the primary consideration for us.”