RAB uncovers yaba factory in Keraniganj

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-10 has uncovered a suspected yaba manufacturing unit in Dhaka’s Keraniganj and arrested four people with yaba tablets, raw materials and equipment allegedly used to produce the illegal drug.

The suspects were arrested during a raid conducted in the Madhyachar South Baluchar area under Keraniganj Model Police Station around 10:00pm on Thursday, RAB said.

RAB-10 Commander and Additional DIG Mohammad Asaduzzaman disclosed the details at a press briefing at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Friday.

The arrested individuals were identified as Md Alamgir alias Ande, 40, Ali Arman, 36, Md Shahjahan, 40, and Sonia, 30.

During the operation, RAB recovered 1,968 yaba tablets, powdered raw materials allegedly used in yaba production, manufacturing equipment, five mobile phones and a digital weighing scale.

According to Asaduzzaman, the suspects admitted during preliminary interrogation that they had been involved in producing and selling yaba for around two years.

“Based on the information provided by them, we have indications that more such factories may exist. The matter is being verified,” he said.

RAB said Alamgir has three narcotics cases filed against him with Rampura, Kamrangirchar and Mohammadpur police stations, adding that all four suspects are involved in drug trafficking.

Explaining the use of raw materials, the RAB commander said the substances seized are not illegal by themselves as they have legitimate industrial uses, but the group allegedly developed a method to use them for producing yaba.

He said further interrogation during remand would help identify the source of the raw materials and details of the manufacturing process.

The suspects allegedly operated their drug network in Kamrangirchar, Old Dhaka and nearby areas, according to RAB. Legal proceedings against them are underway.