A local BNP leader in Comilla’s Brahmanpara upazila has been expelled from the party after being arrested with 600 yaba tablets. The expulsion was confirmed on Thursday through a press release by Hedayetullah Sardar, office secretary of the Brahmanpara upazila BNP. The arrested leader, identified as Sona Mia alias Ismail, served as the publicity secretary of the Brahmanpara Sadar Union BNP.

Police said the arrest took place on Wednesday afternoon following a tip-off. A team led by Officer-in-Charge Md Faruk Hossain raided Sona Mia’s residence in Dhanyadaul village and recovered the yaba tablets. He was subsequently detained and charged under the Narcotics Control Act before being sent to court.

Brahmanpara upazila BNP joint general secretary Nazrul Islam stated that the party had no prior knowledge of Sona Mia’s involvement in drug trade and reaffirmed that drug dealers have no place in the BNP. Police said special drives against narcotics will continue in the area.