SRB arrests 3 with 52kg of cannabis in Rajshahi

Members of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) arrested three people with 52kg of cannabis in Rajshahi while allegedly transporting the drugs in a pickup van. The team also seized the pickup van used to transport the drugs and three mobile phones. The estimated market value of the recovered cannabis is Tk20.80 lakh.
The arrests were made during a drive around 10pm on Friday in the Belpukur Gol Chattar area on the Natore-Rajshahi highway under Belpukur police station in Rajshahi Metropolitan Police area.
A team of RAB-5 conducted the operation.
The arrestees were identified as Rifat Hossain, 36, of Darga Mohalla in Moulvibazar Sadar upazila; Ibrahim Khan, 40, of Pratapi village in Kamalganj upazila; and Jamal Mia, 27, of Jagannathpur village in Sadar upazila.
According to a SRB press release issued on Saturday morning, the team set up a checkpoint on the highway based on a tip-off.
When the pickup was signalled to stop, its driver allegedly attempted to flee. SRB members later intercepted the vehicle and searched it.
During questioning, the occupants admitted that drugs were being carried in the vehicle. SRB members subsequently recovered 52kg of cannabis from the pickup.
The three arrestees were later handed over to Belpukur police station along with the seized drugs. A case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act, the press release added.