Election season becomes breeding ground for drug trade

Bangladesh has seen a sharp rise in drug trafficking as the country approaches the 13th national parliamentary elections. Experts say drug traffickers are exploiting the security forces’ focus on maintaining law and order during the election period.

Recent seizures highlight the surge in illicit substances. On Wednesday morning, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered 100 bottles of Phensedyl, 500 narcotic injections, 25 bottles of foreign liquor, and 27 bottles of Amlecol at the Phulbari border in Dinajpur.

Earlier, authorities seized 11,000 yaba pills from a luxury bus travelling from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka’s Jatrabari area. On the same day, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) intelligence unit arrested two traffickers with 21,000 yaba pills in Shyampur. Separately, four more traffickers were arrested with 57,500 yaba pills in Mirpur, Uttara, and Tongi. On Sunday, police arrested two traffickers with 1,500 yaba pills in Bogura.

Law enforcement officials said the arrested individuals are active members of organised drug networks. They have long collected narcotics from border areas and distributed them wholesale and retail in Dhaka and nearby regions.

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Crime analysts noted that election duties have diverted the attention of law enforcement, creating temporary gaps in surveillance. Traffickers have taken advantage of this opportunity, while drug demand typically rises during elections due to increased political activities, cash transactions, and heightened stress.

Prof Arup Ratan Chowdhury, chairman of the anti-drug organisation MANAS, said many traffickers operate under political protection during elections, intensifying the illicit trade.

The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has responded by cancelling all leave for staff during the election period and instructed units to increase surveillance and conduct rapid operations. Director General Hasan Maruf told unit heads in a recent meeting that authorities must prevent drug traffickers from exploiting the election situation.

According to the DNC, most narcotics—including yaba, Phensedyl, crystal meth, cannabis, and synthetic drugs—enter Bangladesh through the India and Myanmar borders, using land routes, rivers, railways, and remote crossings. Despite issuing red alerts in 32 border districts, traffickers continue to expand their operations.

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Lt Cl AM Jaber Bin Jabbar, commanding officer of the Phulbari BGB battalion, said authorities are maintaining strict law enforcement while keeping border areas crime-free ahead of the elections. BGB headquarters added that they follow a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and prioritise border security.

Crime experts note that elections trigger political tension, increased cash flow, and black money circulation, which often fuels the drug trade. Political rallies, protests, and stress drive many people towards narcotics.

AIG (Media) HM Shahadat Hossain of Bangladesh Police said allegations that anti-drug operations have relaxed due to election duties are false. Authorities continue targeted operations, intelligence monitoring, and inter-agency coordination to combat the surge.