Focus also on drug kingpins, not just carriers: Home Adviser

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stressed the need for arresting the kingpins behind drug trafficking networks, saying that targeting only the carriers is not enough to combat the drug menace, report agencies

"You asked for tools, they have been provided. Rehabilitation centres worth Tk 14 billion have been established. Manpower has increased. Now, it's time to catch the godfathers. There's no point in only arresting carriers," he said.

The adviser was speaking at a press briefing after the distribution of financial grants to representatives of 32 private drug rehabilitation centres in the capital on Wednesday, marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025.

Jahangir Alam pointed out that some border forces of neighbouring countries rely heavily on drug trafficking to sustain their livelihood, which is a key challenge to stopping the illegal inflow of narcotics.

"It's not like that we've been completely successful, but we're trying. There are so many 'Bodi' these days, we're trying to figure out how to catch them," Jahangir Alam said.

Replying to a query about why the border drug smuggling issue remains unresolved despite years of concern, he said steps have been taken to tighten border control to prevent narcotics from entering Bangladesh.

"There was a time when people gave children Phensedyl for stomach aches, even bottles had snake logos on them. I used to tell BGB soldiers, if you take Tk 100-200 and let them in, one day your family members might be the victims," he added.