Police seized a covered van carrying 10,000 yaba tablets in the Mahajanghata area of South Jaldi on the Chattogram-Banshkhali main road in Banshkhali, Chattogram, at about 7:30am on Sunday. The driver fled after noticing a police checkpoint, leaving the vehicle behind during the operation near Sajal Sanitary Home Service.

According to police sources, officers signalled the Chattogram-bound covered van, bearing registration number Dhaka Metro-A-14-0552, to stop. The driver then quickly abandoned the vehicle and escaped. Police searched the van and recovered the 10,000 yaba tablets from behind the driver's seat. The vehicle, allegedly used to transport the drugs, was also seized.

Banshkhali police station Officer-in-Charge Md. Rabiul Haque said police are working to identify and arrest those involved in transporting the narcotics. A case has been filed at Banshkhali police station under the Narcotics Control Act. Operations to arrest the absconding driver are continuing, police said.