Nationwide crackdown on gambling, drugs after April 30: Home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that a coordinated nationwide drive against gambling, online betting, and drugs will be launched after April 30.

He made the statement in parliament on Monday, the 22nd sitting of the first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, in response to a notice under Rule 71 submitted by MP Zainul Abdin Farroque. The notice raised concerns over illegal shisha lounges operating under the guise of restaurants and cafés in upscale areas of the capital.

Responding to the query, the minister said that under the amended Narcotics Control Act 2018 (amended 2020), shisha has been classified as a Category ‘B’ narcotic. He added that the government has identified drugs as a national problem and made clear commitments in its election manifesto to combat the menace.

The minister revealed that shisha lounge owners had filed five writ petitions against the state in an attempt to continue their illegal trade.

However, following appeals by the Department of Narcotics Control, the Appellate Division vacated the interim orders previously granted in those cases.

He further said that the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued directives as early as April 8, 2016, instructing law enforcement agencies, in coordination with the narcotics control authorities, to shut down unauthorised shisha lounges.

Citing recent enforcement actions, the minister said that on April 16, a drive in Gulshan-2 led to the seizure of nearly 5 kg of shisha and 35 hookahs from an illegal establishment known as “The Courtyard Bazaar Lounge.” Another operation at a venue operating as “Shisha Lounge Restaurant” resulted in the seizure of about 4 kg of shisha and eight hookahs.

To prevent such businesses from reopening under new names or locations, intelligence surveillance has been strengthened and strict legal actions are ongoing, he said.

The Home Minister also noted that the Dhaka North City Corporation has taken notice of illegal shisha lounges operating behind residential buildings and commercial fronts. He warned that such activities are harmful to public health, urban order, and law enforcement, and are completely unacceptable.

He added that continuous monitoring is underway to ensure that illegal shisha lounges cannot operate by changing addresses or hiding behind residential premises. Building owners are being made aware through community policing initiatives, and any police personnel found supporting such activities will face disciplinary action.

Reaffirming the government’s stance, the minister said, “We have declared zero tolerance against gambling, online gambling, and drugs in our election manifesto. After April 30, we will launch a coordinated nationwide crackdown. There is no alternative if we are to protect the youth of the country.”

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