Over 204,000 yaba pills seized, 166 suspects arrested in Ukhiya in 14 Months: APBn

The Armed Police Battalion (APBn) has carried out a series of operations in and around the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, over the past 14 months, seizing more than 204,000 yaba pills, firearms and ammunition and arresting 166 people for various alleged offences.

Thirteen people who had been abducted were also rescued during the period, according to the 8 Armed Police Battalion.

The figures were disclosed in a press release signed by 8 APBn Acting Commanding Officer Riaz Uddin Ahmed, PPM, on Saturday, August 1.

According to the statement, the suspects were arrested in 71 cases during operations conducted in Ukhiya between May 14, 2025, and July 2026.

Those arrested included 22 suspects in murder cases, eight in arms cases, 12 in kidnapping cases, 43 in drug cases, two in rape cases and five in theft cases. Others were accused in various criminal cases or were wanted under outstanding arrest warrants.

The seized items included 204,031 yaba pills, one submachine gun, one pistol, one revolver, seven locally made single-shot guns, two single-barrel guns, 30 rounds of ammunition, 23 spent bullet casings, three cartridges and various locally made weapons.

Police also seized two kilograms of cannabis, 240 grams of powdered yaba, 13 litres of locally made liquor, a walkie-talkie set and 37 lost or stolen mobile phones.

Authorities recovered 14.3 lakh taka allegedly linked to drug dealing and other criminal activities, as well as 30,000 taka connected to bKash fraud, the statement said.

The 8 APBn said its personnel also rescued 13 women, men and children who had been at risk after being abducted. The rescue operations were carried out at different times based on intelligence, with authorities taking action against the alleged kidnappers.

Riaz Uddin Ahmed said the APBn was placing particular emphasis on curbing the activities of armed groups, drug trafficking, the use of firearms and other crimes in the Rohingya camps.

The force is also carrying out initiatives to prevent child marriage, online and in-person gambling and domestic violence, he said.

Riaz said intelligence surveillance and operations had been intensified under instructions from senior officials and that such operations would continue to maintain law and order in the camp areas.

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