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Drug smuggling, particularly of Yaba, continues unabated through border areas of Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban despite vigilance by law enforcement agencies.
To strengthen surveillance and curb the illegal trade, police have proposed setting up 11 permanent checkpoints equipped with advanced technology in the two districts, which are considered major entry points for drugs into Bangladesh.
The Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police’s office sent a proposal to Police Headquarters on 27 July, seeking 307 additional personnel and more than Tk13 crore for equipment and infrastructure to establish and operate the checkpoints.
The proposal has received in-principle approval from Police Headquarters and the home ministry, according to sources, but formal approval is awaited.
In the proposal, then Chattogram Range DIG Md Moniruzzaman outlined the drug-smuggling situation, key trafficking routes and operational plans for the proposed checkpoints.
Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar has long been a major entry point for drugs, including Yaba and crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice. Yaba enters Bangladesh from Myanmar’s Rakhine State through the River Naf, maritime routes and various border points.
Made from methamphetamine and caffeine, Yaba is highly addictive. Its use can cause physical and financial harm and contribute to criminal activity, the proposal stated.
Despite close monitoring by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), large quantities of Yaba continue to enter the country through border areas of Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar and Naikkhongchhari in Bandarban.
The proposed checkpoints would be set up along key roads, transport hubs and junctions where routes from border areas converge. The aim is to intercept suspected drug consignments before they reach the Cox’s Bazar–Chattogram highway and are transported to other parts of the country.
Of the 11 proposed checkpoints, eight would be established under Sadar, Ramu, Ukhiya and Chakaria police stations in Cox’s Bazar, while the remaining three would fall under Naikkhongchhari police station in Bandarban.
The plan includes 31 AI-powered facial recognition cameras, 140 conventional CCTV cameras, six vehicle scanners, eight luggage scanners and eight canine teams to detect drugs and strengthen surveillance.
Chattogram Range Additional DIG Md Nazimul Houque, who prepared the proposal following field visits and data analysis, told the Daily Sun that infrastructure would need to be developed to establish the checkpoints and ensure round-the-clock operations.
“Drugs usually spread across the country after entering through different border points. Due to a lack of modern technology, many consignments go undetected, allowing smugglers to take advantage of the situation,” he said.
Once the plan is implemented, transporting drugs past the checkpoints would become more difficult, he added.
Data on suspected smugglers and their associates would be stored on servers, enabling AI-powered cameras to identify them automatically. Vehicle and luggage scanners, along with canine teams, would further improve detection, Nazimul said.
“The proposal has been approved in principle by Police Headquarters and the home ministry. We are now awaiting formal approval,” he said.
Asked whether 11 checkpoints would be enough to cover the extensive areas of the two districts, Nazimul said police had identified strategic locations by analysing major transport routes.
He said smugglers travelling by road towards Cox’s Bazar town or Chattogram would have to pass through the selected points. If they used alternative routes to evade surveillance, police would consider establishing additional checkpoints, he added.