231 drug kingpins control hundreds of drug spots in Dhaka

Hundreds of drug-selling spots across Dhaka are allegedly controlled by 231 drug kingpins, according to updated information from police and the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC).

A senior teacher at an educational institution in Pallabi, who requested anonymity, alleged that drug dealers were destroying the lives of students in the area. The teacher said a suspected drug kingpin named Kawsar had threatened to kill him after he tried to help students overcome addiction.

A recent field visit to Pallabi found at least 20 drug-selling spots in the area. Local sources said one alleged kingpin controls 16 to 17 field-level dealers, who are supported by numerous retail sellers. Some residential building guards are also reportedly being used to sell drugs, while students from different educational institutions are among the buyers.

Police and DNC data show that 231 alleged kingpins are behind various drug trafficking operations in Dhaka. Hundreds of drug spots are reportedly operating across the eight crime zones of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), with more than a thousand retail sellers active at the field level.

DMP headquarters sources said strict instructions have been issued to implement a zero-tolerance policy against drugs. However, authorities have yet to achieve the expected success in controlling drug trafficking. Senior officials have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of some police stations, warning that officers found negligent in anti-drug operations could face disciplinary action.

DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said controlling drugs in the capital remains a major challenge. He said police are trying to arrest drug kingpins and regularly conduct recovery drives in police station areas.

According to Police Headquarters, during an ongoing special anti-drug drive launched on 1 May, law enforcement agencies recovered more than 5.2 million yaba tablets, 5,689.87 grammes of heroin, 2,036 bottles of phensedyl and 7,725.79 kilogrammes of cannabis, along with other drugs.

More than 5,000 suspected drug traders were arrested during the operation.

Despite the drives, drug trafficking continues in all eight crime zones of Dhaka. Police sources said each police station area in the capital has around 10 to 12 drug-selling spots. Although more than a hundred suspects are detained daily in different operations, the alleged top-level dealers often remain beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has identified more than 3,000 suspected drug traders across its operational areas. RAB-2 has listed 565 people, while RAB-12 has identified 382, RAB-8 369, RAB-5 328, RAB-14 294 and RAB-1 222 alleged drug traders, among others.

Field-level investigations also found that drugs are being sold openly in several parts of the capital, including Mohammadpur’s Geneva Camp. Local residents alleged that drug trafficking has continued there despite repeated raids. They claimed that several accused drug traders remain active in the camp, each allegedly operating with 40 to 50 associates.

Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mezbaha Uddin said police were conducting regular operations to control drug trafficking in Geneva Camp. He said several alleged kingpins had already been arrested and efforts were continuing to apprehend others.

Police sources said around 60% of cases filed at Mohammadpur Police Station over the past year were linked to drugs. Several accused drug traders who were arrested after the political change on 5 August later secured bail and allegedly resumed their activities, the sources said.

Law enforcement agencies are now updating their lists of suspected drug traders. Police have provided a list of 19,045 frontline drug traders, while the Border Guard Bangladesh has listed 3,964 people. Another intelligence agency has reportedly identified nearly 21,000 suspected drug traders.

Drug trafficking is not limited to Dhaka. Alleged drug kingpins are also active in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla and Rajshahi, according to law enforcement sources.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain called for science-based and coordinated efforts, alongside legal measures, to protect young people from drug abuse.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Evidence-Based Initiatives to Prevent Drug Abuse Among Youth” at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) on Sunday, he said the country must move beyond fear-based and prohibition-focused campaigns.

The minister stressed the need for coordinated action by the government, educational institutions, families and social organisations to build a drug-free society.