Although there is no acknowledged market for crystal methamphetamine, a costly but highly addictive narcotic substance, in Bangladesh, yet recent developments suggest a growing trend with the powerful stimulant increasingly making inroads into the country. The law enforcement agencies have traced that drug dealers smuggle the crystal meth, also known as “ice”, into the country from Myanmar — along the same land and maritime routes they use for yaba trading. The drug has not become popular in the country perhaps because of its high price. Drug syndicates reportedly use Bangladesh as a transit route.
Analysing the recent trafficking of crystal meth into Bangladesh between January and August this year, investigators found that 11 consignments of the highly addictive drug were sent from Myanmar and three from Malaysia. Of the consignments, eight were seized in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, five in Dhaka and one in Pirojpur. Narcotics regulators apprehend that the market of this highly addictive drug will spread like yaba across the country if it is not checked right now. Officials at the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) also said a network of crystal meth addicts has been created in Dhaka, Chattogram and other cities. According to them, direct consumption of the crystal meth penetrates 20 times higher than yaba. Nowadays, they said crystal meth is being found more frequently than yaba pills from the possession of children of rich families.
Media reports on Friday said that in the latest drive, the DNC caught 10 drug addicts and peddlers with 500 gm crystal meth from Banani, Uttara, Banashri and Khilgaon areas in Dhaka on August 20. Earlier on August 17, detective police of DMP arrested nine others with 500 gm crystal meth and 63,000 pieces of yaba from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur and Jatrabari areas. Both of the consignments were smuggled from Myanmar. Earlier, the DNC also seized two kilograms of crystal meth, estimated to be worth Tk 10 crore, in Teknaf. Investigators said at least two to three consignments of the drug arrived every month over the last three years through various airports and land routes.
Bangladesh should take the influx of the new drug seriously by strengthening both internal and external intelligence. Assistance from the Interpol and UNODC (the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime) can also be sought to control the menace before it goes out of proportions.
