2024-02-20 18:39:02
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that last year 97 thousand 241 cases were filed across the country. In these cases, 1 lakh 20 thousand 287 drug smugglers have been arrested and brought under the law.
This information was given in a written reply to a question of HM Badiuzzaman in the National Parliament on Monday (February 19).
Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced zero tolerance policy against drugs. In order to eradicate drugs, various activities are being carried out including reducing demand, reducing supply and treating drug addicts. Yaba, the currently talked about drug, has entered the country from Myanmar. Ganja, Phencidyl, Heroin and injecting drugs infiltrated from India.
The Home Minister said that the Yaba anti-trafficking task force committee has been formed in Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf, consisting of Narcotics Control Directorate, Police, BGB, RAB, Coast Guard, DGFI and NSI.
He said Yaba (Amphetamine) has been included in Class ‘A’ drugs in the Narcotics Control Act, 2018 (Amended 2020). The maximum penalty for this drug-related crime is death. Provisions for taking action as per Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012 have also been inserted in this Act to give due punishment to the principals of drug trade. The Act also provides for severe punishment against sponsors, instigators and accomplices of drug crimes.
In response to the supplementary question of Awami League Member of Parliament AK Abdul Momen, the Home Minister said that in the event of a chaotic situation, the names of 100 to 500 people are initially kept for the sake of public safety and litigation. However, the charge sheet produced by the investigation does not contain so many names.