The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested a top drug trader from the Katakhali area of Teknaf in Cox's Bazar on Thursday morning.
The arrestee has been identified as Zafarul Islam alias Babul Member, 42.
RAB's Legal and Media Wing Director Commander Khandaker Al Moin confirmed the matter at a press briefing at Dhaka’s Kawran Bazar on Thursday.
Zafarul Islam alias Babul Member was arrested by members of RAB-15 during a raid based on secret information.
During this time, 55,000 pieces of yaba, one foreign pistol, one Bangladeshi firearm, and ammunition were seized from his possession.
The RAB official said Zafarul Islam is one of the masterminds behind the smuggling of drugs from neighbouring countries of Bangladesh. He smuggled approximately Tk45 crores worth of yaba each month through different border regions.
He engaged in the smuggling of narcotics from Myanmar and earned at least Tk2 crore each month, Commander Khandaker Al Moin said.
Meanwhile, a primary investigation revealed that Zafarul formed a gang of 20-25 people in the area to conduct various types of criminal activities including drug trade.
Apart from that, the group is involved in various other illicit activities, including extortion, gold smuggling, arms trade, sand mining, cattle smuggling, and more.
In 2017, the arrestee was first introduced to Nabi Hossain, a prominent fugitive Rohingya criminal. This introduction was facilitated by Lutfur Rahman, a local drug dealer in the area.
Following his meeting with Nabi, Babul became involved with the drug syndicate. Later, Zafarul struck an agreement with the fugitive Nabi Hossain, disguising their activities under the pretext of a shrimp trade cover.
They engaged in the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and gold from neighboring countries, using the Naf River as their route.
