The Crime Desk: Smuggling of the dangerous drug crystal meth is becoming a cause for concern as it has seen an unusual rise in the last few months. Highly addictive and expensive, crystal meth is even more dangerous than yaba. The physical and mental health of its users can be at serious risk. Therefore, if not reined in now, there is a danger that a large part of youth society will go astray.
Those concerned say that crystal meth is also known as ‘ice’. Its consumers are young people from well-to-do families in urban areas. It has recently been recovered in large quantities from the border areas of Myanmar. From this, it can be understood that the demand for ice in the country has increased greatly. In May itself, the RAB and BGB seized about 40 kg of crystal meth from Teknaf and Ukhia in Cox’s Bazar and Naikshyongchari in Bandarban during smuggling from Myanmar to Bangladesh.
In February 2019, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) discovered a crystal meth production lab and arrested three youths in the capital’s Zhigatla. At that time, the matter first came to everyone’s attention. According to the DNC’s calculations, law enforcement agencies seized 65 grams of crystal meth in 2020. Since then, it has been increasing every year. 36 kg (798 grams) were seized in 2021. 113 kg (331 grams) in 2022. And in the first four and a half months of this year, more than 100 kg of ice have been seized.
Tanveer Momtaz, director of operations and intelligence at DNC, said, “Based on recent developments, we fear that crystal meth may become an alternative to Yaba in the coming years.” It will cause terrible danger. Our previous experience says that Yaba is gradually pushed into the Bangladeshi drug market. Similarly, its price was very high in the initial stages. Later, it gradually became cheaper.
A DNC official said there are three major routes for crystal meth smuggling in the country. Most of it comes through the Naf River on the border road between Teknaf and Ukhia. Another route is the sleepy, hilly border of Naikshyongchari in Bandarban.
A RAB official said that drug traffickers collect crystal meth from the Myanmar syndicate through the sleepy border and store it in Rohingya camps and deep forests in the mountains. Later, it was delivered to different parts of the country, including Dhaka.
On May 8, RAB seized more than 24 kg of crystal meth from Ukhia in Cox’s Bazar. This is the largest shipment of crystal meth ever seized. 10 days before, BGB recovered a shipment of 22 kg from the same place. Apart from this, the BGB seized more than 14 kg of crystal meth along with Yaba from Teknaf and Naikshyongchari on May 11. However, there is no accurate information about what percentage is caught during smuggling and what percentage is smuggled.
The founding president of the Narcotics Control Organization (MANS) and member of the National Narcotics Control Advisory Committee, Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Chowdhury, said international studies on drug seizures have shown that about 10 percent of crystal meth is caught and the rest is smuggled. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that only 10 percent of trafficked crystal meth is recovered.
He also said that crystal meth is more dangerous than yaba. It is more stimulating. It has a rapid effect on the body and can disable any part of it.
DLC chief chemical examiner Dulal Krishna Saha said the country’s demand for crystal meth has increased because it contains 96 percent methamphetamine. In Yaba, it is 10–15 percent. Consuming small amounts of crystal meth can cause both physical and psychological reactions. This is why yaba addicts are interested in crystal meth. In addition, crystal meth is light and easily portable, and in many cases, it is not immediately recognized by law enforcement, which encourages smugglers.
Law enforcement officials said that one gram of crystal meth or ice is sold for Tk 10,000–12,000 in Dhaka. It is much more stimulating. So yaba addicts think they need something stronger. Thus, they become addicted to ice.
RAB and police officials said that Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar have become a major concern in terms of drug smuggling. Smugglers bring most of the drugs from Myanmar and store them in the camps. Then make small consignments and deliver them to different parts of the country.
Additional Deputy Inspector General of APBN-14 Syed Haroon Or Rashid said that most of the clashes inside the camp are centered on the control of the drug trade. Some of those involved in controlling the camps may be involved in drug smuggling. It also leads to deadly conflicts. However, to stop these misdeeds, operations are being conducted at various times, with strict vigilance always maintained.
RAB-15 commanding officer Lt. Colonel Saiful Islam said that recently the largest shipment of ice was seized from the area just opposite the Rohingya camp. Once the smugglers took the drug into the camp, it would have been very difficult to trace it. But we were able to thwart their efforts. This incident indicates that we are careful to prevent trafficking.
DNC director Tanveer Mumtaz said everyone is concerned about the increasing entry of crystal meth into the country. An action plan is being developed on how to prevent this.
He also said that Bangladesh has sought Myanmar’s cooperation in preventing trafficking from time to time. But the main problem is that their position is not cooperative. Besides, drug gangs have direct links with Rohingyas, and drugs are coming into the country through them, which is dangerous for Bangladesh. However, we are working hard to prevent drug use.
