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Heroin, a highly addictive opioid drug, is spreading across the country through the efforts of ten godfathers in North Bengal. The Ministry of Home Affairs has already identified these 10 godfathers, along with the names of their 40 associates.
The list, prepared by several intelligence agencies at the field level, has been sent to RAB, the police, and other law enforcement agencies, with instructions for a prompt arrest.
Senior Assistant Superintendent of Godagari police circle Md Ekramul Haque told The Daily Messenger, “We have received the list and have started working on the instructions of senior officers. Multiple teams from the Detective Branch (DB) along with police are actively working to apprehend them.”
According to multiple police sources, the list of top heroin dealers identified by the Home Ministry includes Rabiul Islam Rabi, Naushad Ali, Salim, Hazrat Ali, Najibur Rahman, Tofazzal, Haider Ali, Sohail, Setabur Rahman alias Babu, and Tipu. Setabur Rahman Babu is a member of Mati Kata Union, and all of them are residents of Godagari.
Their accomplices include Nasir Uddin Nayan, also known as Nayan Doctor, Naushad of Madarpur village, Jahangir, Alamgir, Monirul Islam Moni, Tipu, Mehdi, Sohail, and Masud. Anarul Islam of Srimantpur Daingpara Sadar area, Tofajjal of Madarpur village, Mohd of Saharagachi village, Jasim Uddin, Nazir, Bara Shahadat, Tipu, and Saiful.
Mehedi Hasan, Deputy Director of Narcotics Control Directorate, told The Daily Messenger, “Most of the country's heroin enters through the Rajshahi border. We have taken special initiatives to arrest the godfathers of heroin, and intelligence activities have already commenced. Soon, we will bring them under the law.”
It is known that Godagari upazila of Rajshahi is 30-35 km west of Rajshahi city. The upazila, bordering the border, is famous for its agricultural products and is also recognised throughout the country as the 'gateway' for heroin, a deadly drug.
According to information, 90 percent of heroin comes into Bangladesh through the Godagari Border. The godfathers of heroin employ various tricks to smuggle it, ensnaring even women, children, and schoolgirls. Many families have been torn apart by falling into this trap of heroin. At the same time, they become known as drug dealers to the people close to them and to the society.
Many individuals find it challenging to return to normal life after spending years in jail. Despite this, heroin traffickers continue to exploit women as carriers for cash, casting a dark shadow over their lives.
According to intelligence sources, heroin is entering through ten borders of the Godagari upazila day and night. These drugs are making their way into Bangladesh through the border using fishing boats in the Padma River and motorcycles in the Char area. The borders involved are Mahishalbari, Bidirpur, Bakhchar, Char Ashariadah, Char Anupnagar, Devinagar, Phultala, Kamarpara, Sultanganj, and Railbazar Ghat.
Recently, RAB seized 10 kg of heroin, the largest amount in history, and arrested two farmers in the process. Additionally, the Rajshahi District Detective Police recovered two kg of heroin from a mobile shop in Railgate Bazar.
Meanwhile, the godfathers of heroin typically do not reside in the located area. They usually live in Rajshahi city, Dhaka, and other parts of the country. They have amassed wealth by dealing in heroin. The drug is brought across the border with the assistance of smugglers and then distributed to different parts of the country by designated individuals. These godfathers remain untouchable throughout the process, even when individuals are apprehended, as they employ the ‘cut out’ method.
Lieutenant Colonel Munim Ferdous, the commanding officer of RAB-5, told The Daily Messenger, “We are conducting a special operation to arrest the godfathers of heroin and their associates. Surveillance by plainclothes intelligence personnel has also been increased.”
On December 14, 10 kg of heroin concealed in a plastic drum in a hole underground was seized through intelligence activities. Lieutenant Colonel Munim Ferdous also mentioned that a total of 86 kg of heroin was seized in RAB's operations in 2023, marking the largest amount. Meanwhile, he said that after the list of drug dealers reached the hands of the police and RAB, many went into hiding due to the intensified operation.
Rajshahi Range DIG Anisur Rahman told The Daily Messenger, “Drugs and weapons are being smuggled through various borders of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj. We have initiated a special mission and adopted a tough stance against those involved in the heroin trade. Our law enforcement forces are actively working on it.”
Messenger/Disha
