Bangladesh has increasingly become a transit route for international cocaine smuggling, with consignments originating from South America passing through the country before reaching Europe and North America. Law enforcement agencies have seized over 500 kilograms of cocaine in the past ten years, according to official records.
On 16 July 2024, officers from the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) seized nearly four kilograms of cocaine at Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport. The agency has since filed charges against four foreign nationals in connection with the incident.
DNC Deputy Director Humayun Kabir, who is supervising the case, stated: “Drug cartels are using Bangladesh as a transit point for cocaine shipments bound for Europe and America. Behind the operations are nationals from various African countries, working under false identities. Couriers are paid thousands of dollars for each consignment, covering costs such as airfare and accommodation.”
According to DNC data, cocaine seizures in Bangladesh between 2014 and 2024 totalled over 500kg. Significant hauls included: 130.18 kg was seized in 2024, 13.003 kg in 2023, 4.57 kg in 2022, 1.55 kg in 2021, 3.893 kg in 2020, 1 kg in 2019, and 272 kg in 2018. In addition, small-scale cocaine shipments were seized in different parts of the country.
Smaller consignments have also been intercepted across different parts of the country.
Investigations show that international syndicates first move cocaine shipments from Nigeria, Tanzania, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia into Brazil, using both air and sea routes.
Previously, traffickers relied on North America and Caribbean states for onward smuggling to Europe and the US. However, tighter enforcement has forced syndicates to change course, now routing through Africa and the Middle East, with Bangladesh and India serving as new transit hubs.
Currently, three major trafficking routes are identified:
1. Bangladesh–India–Europe
2. Bangladesh–Middle East–Europe/America
3. Bangladesh–direct to Europe or America
Many operatives are reportedly African nationals posing as footballers, garment traders or other professionals. Almost all consignments seized in Bangladesh over the last decade were en route to foreign destinations, with most couriers being African nationals.
Global cocaine demand drives networks
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in its 2023 report, estimated cocaine users at 5.5 million in North America, 5.7 million in Europe, 5.2 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 2.9 million in Asia.
DNC officials note that cocaine use in Bangladesh is negligible due to its extremely high cost, with rehabilitation centres reporting virtually no cases of local cocaine addiction.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
