Suspected drug trader held with yaba after posing as journalist in Cox’s Bazar

A suspected drug trader was arrested with 16,000 yaba tablets while allegedly transporting the contraband in a microbus under the guise of a journalist in Teknaf.

The detainee, Mohammad Anwar, 56, is a resident of Sikdar Para in Hnila union of Teknaf.

The operation was conducted yesterday afternoon at the Hwaikyong checkpoint on the Shaheed ATM Jafar Alam Arakan Road (Cox's Bazar–Teknaf highway), said Lieutenant Colonel Md Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of the Border Guard Bangladesh Ukhiya 64 Battalion.

Lt Col Zahirul Islam said BGB personnel were searching suspicious vehicles at the checkpoint when a microbus travelling from Hnila to Cox's Bazar arrived there.

As officials attempted to search the vehicle, the driver allegedly identified himself as a journalist and tried to force his way through the checkpoint. 

BGB members later chased down and seized the vehicle and detained the suspect.

During a body search, officials recovered identity cards of a newspaper named "Desh Sokal" and a human rights organisation.

A subsequent search of the microbus uncovered 16,000 yaba tablets concealed beneath a cover on the rear seat using a special hiding method.

The BGB official said the authenticity of the recovered identity cards could not be verified immediately.

A case was filed against the detainee with the Teknaf Police Station under the relevant laws, he added.