Despite repeated anti-drug raids at Feni’s Lalpol Bede settlement, the alleged masterminds behind the drug trade remain at large, raising questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement operations.
In the latest raid on Wednesday, law enforcement agencies detained 14 people and seized Tk17.51 lakh in cash, a money-counting machine, 600 Yaba pills and 30 litres of locally distilled liquor, reports Bangla Tribune.
The three-hour operation, conducted from 5pm to 8pm, was led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Nishat Tabassum, with officials from the district administration and Feni Model Police Station.
Police said cases were being prepared against the detainees before they were sent to court.
Nishat said drug trading in the Lalpol settlement was widely known and police regularly conducted operations there. However, the alleged operators managed to escape by receiving advance information about the raids, she said.
She identified three people—Sohel, Tarek and Shirin—as the alleged controllers of the drug business, adding that they faced multiple cases.
The failure to apprehend the alleged ringleaders has raised concerns about whether repeated raids are disrupting the drug network or merely detaining people at the lower levels.
On plans to evict the settlement, Nishat said a committee had been formed through the district law and order committee to oversee the process. As many people live there, the eviction could not be completed in a single day, but preparations were underway to begin it soon.
She added that police operations would continue until the eviction was carried out.
