Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-5) have arrested three suspected drug traffickers along with a large quantity of cannabis concealed inside a goods-laden truck in Chapainawabganj.
The drive was conducted on Thursday afternoon near the toll plaza of Mahananda Bridge under Sadar police station, according to a RAB press release issued on Friday.
The arrestees were identified as Alfaz Mia, Rocky Ahmed and Sanowar Ahmed.
Acting on a tip-off, a team from RAB-5, CPC-1 in Chapainawabganj learned that a large consignment of cannabis was being transported from Habiganj to Kansat area under Shibganj upazila using a truck.
Based on the information, RAB set up a temporary checkpoint in front of Mahananda Bridge toll plaza and began searching vehicles.
At one stage, a truck was signalled to stop and subsequently searched. During the search, officers recovered 49.5 kilograms of cannabis, which had been cleverly hidden inside sacks of garment waste and cotton covered with a tarpaulin at the rear of the truck.
During the operation, RAB also seized the truck used for transportation, 130 sacks of garment waste and cotton, two shallow machines, four mobile phones, and Tk 12,800 in cash.
The elite force said the detained individuals, along with the seized items, have been handed over to Chapainawabganj Sadar police station for legal action.