Driver Arrested with 8,000 Yaba Pills Allegedly Smuggled in Police Prison Van in Cox's Bazar

A driver has been arrested after police seized 8,000 yaba tablets allegedly being transported from Teknaf to Cox's Bazar using a police prison van, raising serious concerns over the misuse of official vehicles for drug trafficking.

The arrest was made during a special police operation on Friday afternoon in the Hotel-Motel Zone of Cox's Bazar town.

The suspect, Md. Faisal, a resident of Nayapara in Teknaf Upazila and son of the late Zahir Ahmed, was taken into custody along with the yaba consignment. The information was confirmed by Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Mohammad Ali.

According to police, the seized yaba tablets had been concealed inside a police prison van and transported from Teknaf to Cox's Bazar, reportedly passing through multiple security checkpoints without detection.

The incident has sparked public concern over how such a large quantity of narcotics could allegedly be moved in an official law enforcement vehicle despite strict security measures.

Police said that during initial questioning, Faisal admitted he had collected the yaba consignment from a man identified as Gafur in Teknaf.

He allegedly planned to deliver the drugs to a woman in Cox's Bazar town in exchange for BDT 15,000. Investigators are currently verifying the information provided during the interrogation.

The incident has prompted renewed concerns about the evolving tactics of drug trafficking networks, with local observers noting that criminal groups are allegedly attempting to exploit even law enforcement vehicles to avoid detection.

Authorities believe the case may be linked to an organized drug trafficking network operating between Teknaf and Cox's Bazar.

OC Sheikh Mohammad Ali said the 8,000 yaba tablets have been seized and legal proceedings under the Narcotics Control Act are being prepared against the arrested driver.

He added that police are continuing their investigation to identify and arrest other individuals allegedly connected to the trafficking network.