Reining in Yaba onslaught

The reported involvement of law enforcers, i.e., a section of the police force in smuggling the menacing drug Yaba has caused a jolt that many in this country believe has more in store to unravel. That piece of news made headlines in many newspapers. In a way, it confirmed the public perception of an organised syndicate running the Yaba trade in almost every nook and corner of the country over the past years. The unfortunate part of it is that it is conducted, reportedly, with patronage and active collaboration of, among others, the law enforcers and political elements. The squad of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) that took into custody a junior police officer with a car-load of Yaba pills disclosed to the media that it was a syndicated arrangement in which the professional identity of the law enforcers was used. The syndicate is also reportedly involved not just in the illegal trafficking but also in the distribution and sales of the drug across different regions of the country in a methodical manner.

For nearly a decade, Yaba has been causing a rampaging blitz across the country. With its organised network, the drug has reached even the otherwise inaccessible regions of the country. The potential targets are the youngsters who after being lured by the 'charm' of the drug, are dragged into a vicious pit of unknown future; there the probable choices for them are theft, mugging and eventually crimes of all hues. Turning into social outcasts is all their future holds for them. Foretelling the outcome is not at all difficult as instances of innumerable young addicts make it all very clear. The menace of Yaba is so all-pervading in recent times that even in village tea shops, the drug is available aplenty, and increasing consumption and 'unhindered' distribution system have rendered the price somewhat 'affordable' than in the past.

Unofficial estimates say that around five million pieces of Yaba pills are being routinely smuggled into the country every day. The daily consumption is also estimated to be to the tune of the same quantity. There is money in the trade, more than perhaps in any other illicit trading. And aided by a network of quick distribution and sales, it has become the most lucrative money-making operation for the unscrupulous lot.

As the money behind Yaba trafficking is dazzling, there is definite reason to believe there are many dedicated players in the trade, even from across the borders. Yaba smuggling has been linked to the recent abduction of the Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) man by Myanmar's Border Guard Police-the former reportedly stood in the way. Whatever the reason, it needs to be further looked into. After all, if it is the lack of vigil on the Bangla-Myanmar border that lets the floodgates open, why is it that the BGB should not demonstrate more of its prowess to prove that it is both capable of stopping Yaba smuggling while also fending off any resistance from its counterpart on the other part of the border?