Fears of fake notes, doping gangs grip cattle traders

Just four days remain before Eid-ul-Adha, one of the biggest religious festivals for Muslims. Although the official countdown has not formally begun, cattle markets across Dhaka are already in full swing. Alongside the festive rush, concerns over counterfeit currency, "oggan party" or doping gangs, and pickpocketing are unsettling both buyers and traders.

Law enforcement agencies, however, say they are fully prepared and have deployed extensive security arrangements.

According to Dhaka North and South City Corporations, 21 cattle markets have been leased this year-11 under DNCC, including one permanent market, and 10 under DSCC, including one permanent site. Markets are already crowded and will remain operational until 29 May, the day after Eid.

Traders are bringing cattle, goats, and buffalo from across the country, while buyers actively negotiate prices. Alongside approved sites, several illegal markets have also emerged.

Traders say they have not faced extortion during transport this year, but remain concerned about counterfeit currency and the risk of pickpocketing and drugging gangs.

Salaunddin, a trader from Chuadanga, brought a large bull named "Kalo Manik," weighing over 1,500 kilograms, to the Gabtoli cattle market, seeking Tk22 lakh.

He said he faced no difficulties during transport and hopes to sell it at a fair price after four years of rearing. However, he remains worried about fake currency circulation and wants to complete the transaction safely and return home.

Another trader, Aslam from Narsingdi, arrived with four cattle. He said he expects a fair price but remains anxious about robbery and drugging gangs, which he said are frequently active during Eid season. "Every year, we hear about such incidents. These groups wait for opportunities," he said.

Law enforcement agencies said control rooms have been set up at every cattle market under RAB and police supervision, equipped with digital machines to detect counterfeit notes. Security has been strengthened through watchtowers and the deployment of uniformed and plainclothes officers to prevent theft and drugging incidents.

During a visit to Gabtoli, RAB Director General Md Akhter Hossain Palash said the risk of robbery increases as people leave the city for Eid. He said RAB has intensified patrols, checkpoints, and surveillance, with special monitoring to prevent diversion of cattle transport vehicles. Control rooms are operating continuously.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has also taken extensive measures. Deputy Commissioner, Md Nasiruddin, said control rooms and watchtowers have been installed at all cattle markets. Uniformed patrols and plainclothes officers are active, alongside 11 checkpoints at city entry and exit points and 60 internal checkpoints across Dhaka.

He added that operations against counterfeit currency and extortion have been ongoing since 1 May, and "money escort" services are available for traders.
Meanwhile, counterfeit currency networks remain active ahead of Eid. On 13 May, police arrested three members of a fake currency gang in Badda and Gazipur, seizing Tk34 lakh in counterfeit notes and printing equipment.

On the same day, RAB-4 arrested three individuals in Mirpur and Ashulia with Tk2.16 lakh in fake notes. Later, on 18 May, another suspect was arrested in Mohammadpur with counterfeit money and equipment.