RAB seizes 110,000 yaba pills hidden in drum, arrests woman in Ukhiya
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-15 has seized 110,000 yaba pills hidden inside a plastic drum in a specially concealed compartment during a raid in the Hazirpara area of Rajapalong Union in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.
A woman, identified as Shakila Sharmin Reshmi, 22, was arrested in connection with the seizure, while one of her alleged accomplices managed to flee.
The information was disclosed in a press release issued by RAB-15 on Tuesday.
According to RAB, intelligence reports indicated that several drug traffickers had stockpiled a large quantity of yaba in Hazirpara and were preparing to distribute it.
Acting on the tip-off and using intelligence analysis and technological surveillance, a team from RAB-15's CPC-2 (Whykong Camp) conducted a raid on a house in the area at around 3:30 pm on Monday.
During the operation, several suspects attempted to flee after noticing the presence of RAB personnel. Shakila Sharmin Reshmi was arrested while trying to escape, allegedly abandoning a plastic drum containing the drugs.
However, another suspect escaped.
In the presence of local residents, RAB searched the woman's house and the abandoned drum, recovering 110,000 yaba tablets concealed inside. According to RAB, the estimated street value of the seized drugs exceeds Tk 10 million.
Shakila Sharmin Reshmi is a resident of Hazirpara in Rajapalong Union, Ukhiya. RAB claimed that during preliminary interrogation, she admitted to involvement in drug trafficking.
A case has been filed against the arrested woman and her absconding accomplice under the Narcotics Control Act, and both have been handed over to Ukhiya Police Station for further legal proceedings.
RAB-15 Assistant Director (Media) AM Faruk said intelligence surveillance and anti-narcotics operations against drug trafficking networks operating along the Cox's Bazar border region would continue.
He added that efforts are underway to arrest the fugitive suspect and other members of the trafficking ring.