80% of narcotics enter via coastal routes, it says

Arakan Army has become involved in the yaba trade, Ramu Sector Commander Col Mohiduddin Ahmed of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said today.

"Rohingyas are the main yaba traffickers. They move the drugs very fast, which makes it difficult to catch them. Some unscrupulous people in our country, driven by their own interests, are bringing yaba from Myanmar's Arakan Army into Bangladesh, which poses a major threat to the country," he told journalists at a press conference at a Cox's Bazar hotel.

The briefing highlighted BGB's recent successes in drug and arms recovery and outlined new measures to strengthen border security.

In a written statement, Col Mohiduddin said, drug smuggling through coastal areas has now become the biggest challenge.

"Because of strict surveillance along the Ukhiya-Teknaf border, traffickers are increasingly using sea routes. It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of drugs enter Bangladesh through the coasts of Maheshkhali, Banshkhali, Kutubdia, Anwara, and Kuakata. From these routes, drugs are not only spreading inside Bangladesh but also being trafficked to other countries, which is a grave threat to our youth and economy," he said.

He also displayed photographs of radar images showing the movement of Bangladeshi trawlers crossing into Myanmar waters under the cover of darkness. He added that the BGB, Navy, and Coast Guard are working in coordination to prevent smuggling.

He further said the Naikhongchhari border has also become vulnerable. "Due to difficult terrain and poor communication system, monitoring this area is very challenging," the BGB sector commander added.

On detained fishermen, Mohiduddin clarified that fishermen are detained only when they cross into Myanmar waters, either mistakenly or intentionally.

"There has never been any incident of the Arakan Army entering Bangladesh to detain fishermen. We continuously warn our fishermen not to cross the maritime boundary," he added.

Since July 15, BGB has seized around 28 lakh yaba pills from border areas of Cox's Bazar and parts of Bandarban. During this period, 22 firearms, including sophisticated rifles, were also recovered.

Lt Col Ashiqur Rahman, Commanding Officer of Teknaf 2 BGB; Lt Col Khairul Alam, CO of Cox's Bazar 34 BGB; Lt Col Jasim Uddin of Ukhiya 64 BGB; and Lt Col SKM Kafil Uddin Kayes of Naikhongchhari 11 BGB were present at the briefing.