Ahead of the national parliamentary election, everyone concerned within the government is actively working to deliver a free, fair, and impartial vote. As a result, special anti-drug operations have declined, and even routine narcotics enforcement activities have slowed down. Taking advantage of this situation, drug traffickers are conducting their business unchecked. All types of drugs are entering the country from India and Myanmar. Drugs are coming in through water, land, and air routes. With the election approaching, drugs have become a cause of fear across the country.
According to data from the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), the drugs seized so far in the country are coming from the border areas of the two neighboring countries. Drugs entering through the borders are spreading from cities to rural areas as well. Due to curiosity, family conflict, unemployment, failure in love, peer pressure, bad company, various forms of frustration, and the negative influence of globalized popular culture, people from all walks of life—including students—are becoming addicted to drugs.
Alongside men, the tendency toward drug use among women is also increasing day by day. Although there is no official government figure for the number of drug users, according to the private organization Madokdrobbo O Nesha Nirodh Sangstha (MANAS), the number of drug users in the country is currently about 15 million. An estimated 600 billion taka is spent on drugs every year. About 200,000 people are involved in this trade as patrons, traders, carriers, and members of sales networks, and this number is increasing every year.
Each year, drugs worth 481 million US dollars—or approximately 51.47 billion taka—are smuggled out of Bangladesh. The devastating spread of narcotics is causing financial and physical harm and is also creating barrenness in the thinking of an entire generation. Adolescents and people from various professions are becoming entangled in this deadly addiction. It is reported that only about 10 percent of the drugs entering Bangladesh are seized.
To rein in drugs, all law enforcement agencies—including the DNC, police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), RAB, and the Coast Guard—are regularly conducting operations.
According to BGB data, in 2025 a large quantity of drugs was seized through operations conducted in border areas and other parts of the country. During this period, 14,714,298 yaba tablets, 10 kilograms and 408 grams of crystal meth (ice), 133,396 bottles of Phensedyl, along with other drugs, were confiscated. On allegations of involvement in these incidents, 2,334 people were arrested.
DNC Director General (DG) Md. Hasan Maruf said that anti-drug operations are being conducted regularly. With the election approaching, a stricter stance has been taken against drugs. Work is being carried out in coordination with law enforcement agencies to control narcotics, and drug traffickers—whoever they may be—are being dealt with firmly.
MANAS Chairman Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Chowdhury said that the total number of drug users in the country is about 15 million. At present, no one is paying adequate attention to the drug issue, and as a result drug mafia networks are taking advantage of the situation to spread drugs nationwide and run a booming business. Bangladesh Police Assistant Inspector General (Media) AHM Shahadat Hossain said it is not correct to say that anti-drug activities have been relaxed due to election duties.
Operations against drug traffickers are continuing. Through intelligence surveillance, targeted operations, and inter-agency coordination, regular action is being taken against drug networks, and no criminal will be spared.
Meanwhile, Dr. Touhidul Haque, associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research of the University of Dhaka and a social and crime analyst, said that when there is a major state event, many people become engaged in official responsibilities. To ensure a free, fair, and impartial national election, law enforcement agencies, the administration, and government and non-government officials become busy with training and planning. Taking advantage of this situation, drug traffickers are carrying out widespread drug trading.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
