Six arrested with drugs in Phulbari raids; Volunteer Party leader’s brother among detainees

Police arrested six individuals, including the brother of a local political leader, during separate anti-drug drives in Phulbari upazila on May 5 and 6. A variety of narcotics, including Yaba, marijuana, Tapentadol tablets and local liquor, were seized.

According to police, a raid at the Mansur Residential Hotel in Phulbari town on Tuesday evening led to the arrest of three men with 50 Yaba tablets. Among them was Md. Hazrat Ali, 32, the brother of Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal (Volunteer Party) Member Secretary Anwarul Haque. The other two arrested were Md. Abdul Majid, 45, and Md. Emdadul Haque, 45.

A case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018. Police are also searching for an associate, Md. Shawkat Ali, 50, who fled the scene. When contacted, Anwarul Haque stated that his brother Hazrat Ali "is not under his control."

In other operations on the same day, Shri Sohag Mohant Nanda, 26, was caught with 10 Tapentadol tablets and 110 grams of marijuana. On Wednesday, May 6, police arrested a woman named Sanati Mardi alias Lata, 50, with 46 liters of local liquor. Additionally, Md. Shafiqul Islam Sajjad, 36, was detained while consuming drugs.

Phulbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shah Abdul Latif confirmed the arrests, stating that the crackdown on narcotics will continue. "Legal action has been taken against the detainees, and we are working to arrest those currently absconding," the OC added.