The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) arrested alleged drug trafficker Babul Hossain, also known as Babu, during a special operation in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on Tuesday afternoon. Acting on intelligence, DNC officers intercepted a bus of Liton Travels and detained Babu, who was posing as a regular passenger. A search of his shopping bag revealed 16,000 yaba pills wrapped in tape and tissue. Authorities also seized a mobile phone used in drug transactions.

According to DNC officials, Babu, a resident of Keraniganj, had long controlled a major yaba distribution network supplying southern and northern regions of Bangladesh. He reportedly sourced drugs from dealers in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Teknaf, storing them in Keraniganj before transporting them by bus to districts such as Jashore, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rangpur. A case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act 2018 at Jatrabari Police Station.

Officials said investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate. The DNC has intensified surveillance and pledged continued nationwide operations to dismantle drug trafficking routes and protect youth from narcotics abuse.