Dhaka: The Narcotics Control Directorate (DNC) has seized cannabis chocolates and cakes worth crores of rupees sent by post from America to Dhaka.
Later, three people were arrested from Ashulia in Dhaka based on the phone number mentioned in the parcel.
The arrested are Md. Russell Mia (20), Ramzan Mia (21) and Md. Imran alias Raj (20).
According to DNC, a parcel from the US state of California arrived at the foreign post branch of the Bangladesh Post Department. DNC Dhaka Metro (North) seized the parcel based on intelligence information.
When the parcel was opened, it was found that children’s toys were packed with tetrahydrocannabinol-laced cannabis kush, chocolates and cakes brought from America. The market value of these drugs is about one crore rupees.
Inside the parcel were 6 packets of tetrahydrocannabinol kush, made in America. Its weight is 1 kg 300 grams. Also in the parcel were 9 American made cannabis chocolates. In addition, there were 10 American-made cannabis cakes in the parcel.
DNC Director General (DG) Mustaqeem Billah Faruqi gave this information in a press conference organized at the DNC head office in Segunbagicha in the capital on Tuesday (April 23) afternoon.
He said, on Sunday (April 21), a parcel from the state of California was seized from the foreign post branch of the old post office building in Paltan. A large quantity of tetrahydrocannabinol-laced kush, cannabis chocolates and cannabis cakes worth around crores of rupees were seized from the parcel.
After analyzing the information found on the parcel, with the help of technology, the location of the recipient was confirmed and Russell Miah was arrested by conducting raids in Kathgara Bazar area of Ashulia. Russell told the inquiry that he was supposed to take delivery of the parcel. He further stated that arrested Ramzan Mia told him to receive the parcel in exchange of money.
Later, based on information given by Russell, Ramzan Miah was arrested from Amtala area of Ashulia. During interrogation, Ramzan Mia said that he was asked to receive the parcel in exchange of money. Imran aka Raj. Later Raj was also arrested. In the interrogation, it is known that Ramzan and Raj are friends of each other.
He also said that the packets in which the drugs came from America to Bangladesh were children’s toy packets. So that no one understands that these packets contain drugs. For a long time, the arrestees used to bring ganja cakes, kush and chocolates from abroad and sell them in different areas of the country including the capital.
The concerned authorities have been informed about those who have sent this drug to Bangladesh from abroad. The authorities concerned have been asked to take action against them.
In response to a question, the DG of DNC said that it does not matter whether this drug is legal or illegal in California. This drug is illegal in Bangladesh, so sending this drug to Bangladesh is a punishable crime. Knowing that it is illegal in Bangladesh, they sent drugs in packets of children’s toys. It is not the case that this parcel was sent by an American citizen. Citizens of any other country living there can also send.
When asked how many times this drug has come to Bangladesh from America, he said, “We are not yet sure of the exact number of times it has come from America.” However, we have come to know from their interrogation that they have been bringing this drug to Bangladesh for the past two years. We will try to interrogate them to find out how wide their network is.
When asked who are the users of this drug, he said, we will try to find out in the investigation. We will inform those who are more concerned about this matter.
When asked how the arrested persons are young, how they paid the price of drugs worth crores of rupees, he said that one of the arrested persons is a marketing officer of a garment factory. We will try to investigate the source of their money and how they sent the money there. Money laundering may be involved and we will investigate all these matters.
Bangladesh Time: 1415 hours, April 23, 2024
PM/MM
