Disastrous drugs trade: Bangladesh ranks 5th globally, 1st in Asia
Contrary to the government’s stance on drug control, the number of drug addicts has seen an alarming spike, causing significant concerns in the country. The situation is aggravated by a recent report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), revealing that Bangladesh stands fifth globally in terms of drug trafficking, with an annual illegal outflow of approximately US$ 481 million (about Tk 51.47 billion) earned from drugs.
Moreover, the report also disclosed that Bangladesh tops among Asian nations when it comes to laundering drug money from the illegal drug trade. UNCTAD indicated that these estimates were based on projections, and the reality of the country’s drug problem remains grave. UNCTAD analyses data from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Colombia, Ecuador, Maldives, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, and Peru over a period of five years (2017-2021), mentioned in the report released on Thursday.
For Bangladesh, the estimate covers the trafficking of drugs such as methamphetamine tablets (Yaba), heroin, buprenorphine, and phensidyl. The report reveals that Mexico holds the top position globally in terms of illegal drug money flows, followed by Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bangladesh. Among the five Asian countries, Bangladesh is the most prominent in terms of drug-related illicit financial flows, followed by Maldives and Nepal, Afghanistan and Myanmar. Such statistics are needed to shed light on the activities, sectors and channels most prone to illicit financial flows, pointing to where actions should be undertaken as a priority to curb these flows, mentioned the report.
Media reports have said the recent major haul of drugs including the most dangerous ‘Ice’ in Cox’s Bazar near the Myanmar border has indicated that the demand for the drug is also increasing rapidly in the country. Reportedly, smuggling of Ice is rampant along the border of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar. Since over 700,000 Rohingyas crossed into Bangladesh after being driven out from Rakhine of Myanmar in 2017, smuggling of narcotics has increased. The government’s so-called gunfights and all-out drives couldn’t improve the situation. Once the narcotics cross the border, it reaches the consumers one way or another.
Experts say Ice is a severely harmful narcotics. For youths who become addicted to this drug, it doesn’t only ruin their lives but threatens to destroy their whole family. It creates criminal tendencies among adolescents and youths in society. Only isolated raids won’t be effective, there must be constant surveillance.
We have seen many anti-narcotic drives, conducted just for an eye-wash. There should be a sustainable and round-the-clock drive. There’s no alternative to protect the country from the terrible clutches of drugs.
