Detective Branch (DB) police arrested three people, including local leaders of Jubo Dal and Matsyajibi Dal, after recovering 6,000 yaba tablets from a private car in Cox’s Bazar yesterday (13 June).
The seizure was made during a special security operation ahead of the prime minister’s visit to the coastal district, police said.
Following the arrests, the Teknaf upazila unit of Jubo Dal expelled one of the accused, while Matsyajibi Dal leaders said disciplinary action was also being taken against their representative.
The arrests were made around 10am near Bholababu Petrol Pump in Cox’s Bazar town, according to Md Machiur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the district DB police.
The detainees were identified as Mofiz Ullah, 38, member secretary of Hoikyang union Matsyajibi Dal; Faridul Alam, 37, senior joint convener of the South Hoikyang union unit of Jubo Dal; and Kasipur Rahman Sarup, 19, a resident of Cox’s Bazar town.
Police said the private car was travelling from Teknaf and was suspected of carrying the occupants to the prime minister’s programme in Cox’s Bazar.
According to the DB official, officers on patrol became suspicious after the vehicle attempted to evade police near the checkpoint area. When signalled to stop, the driver allegedly tried to flee, prompting officers to pursue and intercept the car.
The vehicle’s occupants reportedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations during questioning, while the driver could not produce valid documents for the vehicle.
Police later took the car to a workshop and conducted a thorough search. During the inspection, officers discovered a specially built concealed compartment above the silencer pipe underneath the vehicle.
A package wrapped in black tape was recovered from the hidden chamber. Upon opening it, police found 6,000 yaba tablets, the OC said.
A case was filed on Saturday night, and the three detainees were handed over to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Speaking to TBS, Teknaf Upazila Jubo Dal Convener Mohammad Kaiyum confirmed that Faridul Alam served as a senior joint convener of the South Hoikyang union unit of the party.
“After learning about his arrest in the yaba case, the upazila Jubo Dal decided to expel him from the organisation,” he said.
Kaiyum added that the vehicle involved belonged to Mofiz Ullah, a local Matsyajibi Dal leader.
Meanwhile, Teknaf Upazila Matsyajibi Dal Convener Jalal Uddin said the organisation had also decided to expel Mofiz Ullah over the incident.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
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