There is a growing market for the highly addictive drug crystal meth in the capital, operating mostly through encrypted messaging apps. Law enforcers said around 45 individuals are leading the drug trade with the help of around 100 dealers. Like yaba, crystal meth, popularly known as ice, is mostly smuggled into the country from Myanmar through the border along Teknaf and Ukhia upazilas of Cox’s Bazar, and Naikhongchhari Upazila of Bandarban.
Rohingya refugees, including women and children, are often the ones carrying the rather expensive drug across the border and transport workers bring them to the city. The Narcotics Control Department said they first came to know about ice after arresting two suspects at Dhaka’s Mohammadpur in February 2019. This year alone, officers recovered at least 7.72 kg of ice in eight raids in Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. Law enforcers said most of the ice dealers also sell yaba pills. The users and dealers mostly belong to the high society, who become acquainted with one another at parties. Only 10 grams of ice can cost up to Tk 1 lakh in Dhaka. Crystal meth is a powerful drug that affects the central nervous system. Use of the drug poses high risks of stroke, heart attack, teeth decay, and permanent hallucinations, among other short and long-term health effects.
The law enforcers in Bangladesh have so far killed 300 suspected drug smugglers and peddlers after the anti-drug campaign started. The government has failed to stop the smuggling of narcotics because the domestic network of the drug smugglers is still unscratched as some ruling political party men, a section of law enforcers, border guards, and local government representatives remain involved. The law enforcers should gear up security to stop the crystal meth, otherwise, promising youths will be doomed.
