Lalmonirhat border transit route for drug smuggling

Various types of illicit drugs are being smuggled into Bangladesh from the neighbouring country, India, through different border points in Lalmonirhat district.

Trade of these narcotic substances has emerged as a grave concern among the inhabitants and guardians in five upazilas of the frontier northern district.

The international border beside Lalmonirhat stretches along 281.6 kilometres with the neighbouring West Bengal state of India. Most of the frontier remains protected with barbed wire fences, but in some points it is still necked due to the river.

Strong syndicates having political clout have been continuing the illegal drug trade for a long.

Every day, various drugs and other narcotic substances are being trafficked into Bangladesh through more than 60 border points under Lalmonirhat Sadar, Adimari, Kaliganj, Hatibandha and Patgram upazilas of the district.

After the sunset, the drug syndicates become active in the bordering areas. Locals and common villagers are very much concerned about their school and college-going children.

Despite frequent arrests, drives and numerous cases filed against the traffickers, the drug business goes on rampant in the frontier district.

Lalmonirhat is one of the main routes for illicit drug smuggling and trafficking, with five upazilas of the district being adjacent to Cooch Bihar district under the West Bengal state of India.

Smuggling illicit drugs has become a lucrative business for some people in the frontier areas. Residents of many of the bordering areas have changed their socioeconomic condition through this illegal trade. For most of the people, it is an easy way to make money overnight.

Despite repeated crackdowns on drug trafficking and filing cases, the smuggling rackets appear to be firm on continuing their business.

Different syndicates having strong political links have been continuing the illicit drug trade year after years.

Especially Durgapur, Mohishkhocha and Palashi unions, Kumrirhat, Velabari and Lohakhuci of Adimari upazila; Khulaghat union, Khuniagach, Fulgach and Teesta Bridge area of sadar upazila; Gorol and Chodropur union under Kaliganj upazila; Doikhawa of Hatibandha upazila and Dhahagram,Angorpota under Patgram upazila are the hotspots of drug trafficking.

After bringing in various drugs, the syndicates send these to Dhaka and other big cities of the country using different routes. They use motorbikes, microbuses, pickup vans and even night coaches also to carry their illegal goods.Gorol and Chandsropur unions under Kaliganj upazilla are the main points of drug trafficking. These two unions have become a hub of narcotics. Police and locals said most of the villagers are involved in drug trade. Among the drug items mostly smuggled in and traded are liquor, Phensidyl,Yaba and Tafentadol tablets.

Every day hundreds of youths from Rangpur, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat come to take narcotics in Bolairhat, Lohakuchi, Moynarchawra, Choupathi and Bagurapara areas under Kaliganj upazila for easy availability and cheaper prices of them.

Law enforcers conduct drives and arrest the traffickers. But they get bail very shortly and resume their old trade further. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police and Border Guard Bangladesh more or less every day seize various narcotic items from different points of the district.

According to the district police sources, only police recovered 1,160 kilograms of ganja, 23,600 bottles of Phensidyl, 4,588 pieces of Yaba pills, 7,492 pieces of Tafentadol tablets, local and foreign-made liquor and heroin in 2024.

Some 660 cases were filed and 849 persons were arrested in connection with drug trade in the district in the same year.

In the year 2021, a police investigation centre was set up in Gorol union under Kaliganj upazila to control the sources of drugs.

One sub-inspector, one assistant sub-inspector and seven constables are now working there. When asked, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kaliganj police station Md Zakir Hossain said, "I took my responsibility here just two days ago .After my joining here, police recovered huge quantity of drugs and arrested many filling cases to control the spread of illegal drugs."

Abu Bakar Siddique, a local resident of the area also a schoolteacher, expressed grave concern about drug trafficking and thriving of its trade involving the youths.

He said transaction of several cores taka is made every day for drugs trade in this area.

He urged the department concerned to show zero tolerance and arrange highest punishment

for drug trade and use.

ahasnathrana@yahoo.com