A Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) operation in Chattogram’s Patenga area led to the seizure of 500,000 yaba tablets worth Tk 150 million from a fishing trawler on Friday night, April 10. The raid took place at the 15 No. Ghat area under Patenga Police Station, confirmed by RAB-7 Senior Assistant Director (Media) A. R. M. Mozzafar Hossain. Nine individuals were arrested during the operation, including five Rohingya refugees and four residents of Cox’s Bazar.

According to RAB sources, the drug consignment was being transported by sea from the Cox’s Bazar border area toward Chattogram. When RAB personnel arrived at the scene around 9:30 p.m., several suspects attempted to flee but were captured after a chase. The yaba tablets were later recovered from the trawler’s engine room.

RAB stated that the detainees had long been involved in smuggling yaba from border areas at low prices and distributing them across Chattogram for profit. Legal action has been initiated against all nine suspects.