Dangerous drugs like Ice (Crystal methamphetamine) and Yaba are entering into the country through borders, which has been a big reason of concern.

For instance, let’s look at the scenario of Ukhiya Thana, which is situated adjacent to the border in Cox’s Bazar. Dhamankhali is a village of Palangkhali union of this thana, connected to the border. On the opposite side of Dhamankhali, Kumirkhali, the small village of Myanmar is located. There’s a narrow canal flowing in the middle of these two villages. The area seems to be peaceful during day time, while it became a land of terror at night. A team of smugglers consisting of 25 to 30 persons enter into Bangladesh crossing the border. They go to Palangkhali encompassing Dhamankhali. There’re goods-packed sacks on some of their shoulders and escorting by other armed companions, they enter into Bangladesh. Escaping the patrol of Border Guard Bangladesh and law enforcing forces, they enter into the Rohingya camps finally. In the sacks of this armed team, there are huge quantity of dangerous drugs like Yaba and Ice.

Even, two years ago the main entry-gate of incoming Yaba of the country was Taknaf. However, the control of drug trade now has gone in the hands of Rohingyas. From here, Yaba and Ice are being supplied to 64 districts of Bangladesh. In the first week of current month, BGB was victim of firing by the drug traders when they tried to resist the entrance of these smuglers. BGB also fired in response.

The above information was revealed from the field investigation on border areas and Rohingya camps of Ukhiya. It has been known that not only just the Kumarkhali, the shipment of Yasba and Ice are coming into the country from Chakmakata, Koyanchibon, Dhekibuniya and some other villages adjacent to the border area.

Shipments of these drugs are entering into Bangladesh almost every night. Firearms are entering with drugs. Talking to several people who are involved in the drug trade, sensational information has been found.

Nabi Hossain, the leader of the Rohingya terrorist group Al Yakin, lives at Zero Point in the Myanmar-Bangladesh border area. This Nabi Hossain is basically controlling the business of Yaba and Ice. He sends the consignment of drugs to Sonali, another mafia head of the Rohingya camp. Nabi Hossain on one side and Sonali on the other side - these two are currently the controllers of drug trafficking and ice trade in Bangladesh, although their group has at least 10 thousand members. There are also Hossain Murad, Zafar, Shamsu, who deliver Yaba and Ice across the country. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), last February, announced a reward of Tk 10 lakh for the surrender of Nabi Hossain, the godfather of Yaba and Ice, dead or alive. But he hasn’t been caught yet. According to information received from intelligence agencies, Nabi Hossain's main activity is to smuggle large consignments of Yaba-Ice along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.  With the help of Myanmar's BGP, he gave shrimp cages through a citizen of that country. The names and identities of his 30 accomplices were found in the camps. Their main activities are drug trafficking and money transactions. Nabi Hussain left the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) three years ago and formed the 'Nasurullah Nabi' group. He is also the leader of Al Yaqeen.

An officer of the intelligence agency working for prevention of crime in the Rohingya camp said, "We have already sent an investigation report to Dhaka on the criminal activities of Nabi Hossain. Our investigation revealed the names of five 'Rohingya Terrorist' groups involved in the smuggling of large consignments of drugs from Myanmar. Nabi Hossain Group is one of them. Most of the drug smugglers come into Bangladesh through the assistance of Nabi Hossain, both by land and by river. Nabi brought drugs to Bangladesh even though he stayed in Myanmar. His associates spread the trade across the country. At one time the commander of RSO was Nabi.”

According to the investigation, Nabi Hossain (47), son of Mostak Ahmed, who lives in Rohingya Camp-8 East in Ukhia, was elected as a public representative while serving as the RSO commander in Maungdu Devuniya Tumra Chakmapara, Myanmar. In 2012, he was accused of a murder case due to rivalries and crossed to Malaysia by sea in 2012. There he took a job in a madrasa. In August 2017, his family took refuge in Bangladesh. Then Nabi Hossain moved to the family in Kutupalong. At that time Arsa pressured him to join the team. If they didn’t agree, they had to leave the camp. Then he got involved in drug trafficking.

In 2018, a large shipment of drugs was brought into Bangladesh. Since then, all major consignments of Yaba are coming to the country through his hands. Nabi is still in touch with some leaders of RSO.

In the last 15 days, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted separate operations and seized about 47 kg of Ice. At this time, eight people were arrested. Among them was a former member of the police, too. However, the main drug dealers were not caught in the operation. These eight were ice carriers.

Cox's Bazar Police Superintendent Mahfuzul Islam, “The police and law enforcement agencies are working to eliminate terrorist groups inside and outside the Rohingya camps. Terrorists are being identified and brought under the law as per the plan. Keeping in mind the safety of the local people, the ongoing operation will be more comprehensive.”

SP said that strict action would be taken against the local people who support these terrorists.

Chairman of Palangkhali Union Parishad of Rohingya-dominated Ukhiya and Secretary General of Rohingya Resistance and Repatriation Struggle Committee, M Gafur Uddin Chowdhury said, “Numerous armed groups have been formed inside and outside the camps. They are committing various crimes including drug trade, kidnapping, robbery etc. Along with the Rohingyas, the locals have become the recruitment target of these armed groups. Day by day the security risk of the locals is increasing. In the future, it may become difficult to live around the camp.”

 He said I think there are at least 30,000 armed Rohingyas. To disarm these Rohingya terrorists, regular army operations is needed; or camps should be given to the army. If the free movement of Rohingyas outside the camp is stopped, crime will be reduced to some extent.”

@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on May 16 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque