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Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday stressed the need for identifying and arresting the kingpins behind drug trafficking networks, saying that targeting only the carriers is not enough to combat the drug menace.
“You asked for tools, they have been provided. Rehabilitation centres worth Tk 1,400 crore have been established. Manpower has increased. Now, it’s time to catch the godfathers. There’s no point in only arresting carriers,” he said, UNB reports.
The adviser was speaking at a press briefing after the distribution of financial grants to representatives of 32 private drug rehabilitation centres, marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025.
Jahangir Alam pointed out that some border forces of neighbouring countries rely heavily on drug trafficking to sustain their livelihood, which is a key challenge to stopping the illegal inflow of narcotics.
"It's not like that we've been completely successful, but we're trying. There are so many 'Bodi' these days, we're trying to figure out how to catch them,” Jahangir Alam said.
Replying to a query about why the border drug smuggling issue remains unresolved despite years of concern, he said steps have been taken to tighten border control to prevent narcotics from entering Bangladesh.
“There was a time when people gave children Phensedyl for stomach aches, even bottles had snake logos on them. I used to tell BGB soldiers, if you take Tk 100-200 and let them in, one day your family members might be the victims,” he said.
Calling for collective responsibility, Jahangir Alam said the fight against drugs is not only for law enforcement but for all sections of society to understand and act upon. “Our two biggest enemies are corruption and drugs. We need mass awareness to prevent drug abuse,” the adviser said.
Merely building rehab centres is not the solution, he noted, urging people to share information about those involved in smuggling drugs into the country.
“Drugs have even penetrated into classes as low as Grade 1, 2 and 3. The cost of treatment is high, and many poor families cannot afford rehabilitation,” Jahangir Alam added.
The adviser expressed hope that no one would have to be admitted to rehab centres in the future, calling for a united effort to root out drugs from society.