The Kuakata coastline in Patuakhali has become a "safe zone" for drug godfathers, as per local observations.
For the past 10–15 years, narcotics have been regularly smuggled in via sea routes. These drugs are sold to local users and tourists before being trafficked again by land and water to various parts of the country.
With the easy availability of locally brewed liquor, cannabis, heroin, and yaba, a new and more dangerous drug — crystal meth — has now been detected in the Kuakata coastal belt. There are allegations that informants of law enforcement agencies are regularly collecting bribes from the drug syndicates. As a result, information about impending raids often reaches drug dealers in advance.
Even though some low-level peddlers and couriers are occasionally arrested during anti-drug operations, weak evidence often leads to their release. Meanwhile, the main godfathers remain hidden and untouched. Experts believe this is why the alarming spread of drug abuse cannot be effectively curbed.
According to law enforcement sources, on October 6, 2018, two individuals — Ibrahim from Teknaf and Rohingya national Alam from Ukhiya — were arrested at dawn with 677,056 yaba pills. A private car, foreign-made pistol, ammunition, smartphones, and SIM cards were also seized. Despite extensive interrogations under remand and changes in investigating officers, the identities of the key godfathers remained concealed. Investigators allegedly shifted blame entirely onto the carriers, using the case for their own advantage.
On June 1, 2017, Fatema Akter Sanjida was arrested with 3,950 yaba pills from the Alipur fish port. During the investigation, a fishing trawler captain and an influential fish trader were named, but the police report submitted to the court only contained routine details — completely omitting the roles of these two individuals.
On July 2, 2015, police seized a large consignment of Indian sarees and drugs from the Khaparabhanga river near the same fish port. However, by the next day, the drugs had mysteriously vanished, and only 1,800 sarees were recorded in the seizure list. While five individuals from Noakhali, Hatiya, and Barguna were detained, both the trawler owner and captain were discreetly released. A final report was later filed in court excluding their names.
On December 5, 2020, two hotel staff were arrested from a residential hotel in Kuakata with 1,200 bottles of foreign liquor, but the hotel owner was not implicated. Similarly, on May 2 of the same year, 65,000 yaba pills, a trawler, a motorcycle, and BDT 2 lakh in cash were seized from Nishanbari canal under Dhanakhali Union. Six members of the syndicate, including a woman, were arrested and produced in court.
On November 1, 2019, 40,000 yaba pills were recovered by digging under the bed of a man named Bani Amin in Neowapara village, Chakamaiya Union. Although he initially escaped, Bani Amin was later arrested with 65,000 yaba pills on April 13, 2020, in Komorpur village of Mohipur Union.
Most recently, on July 3, 2025, four drug dealers were arrested in different locations of Kalapara with 8 grams of crystal meth and yaba. At a press conference at Kuakata Press Club the next evening, Hamimur Rashid, Deputy Director of the Patuakhali Department of Narcotics Control, expressed grave concern over the presence of crystal meth in the region.
Sources also revealed that law enforcement agencies have arrested hundreds of small-scale drug users and sellers across Kalapara’s two municipalities and 12 unions. However, many of them return to drug dealing within 2–4 months after getting out of jail.
Experts emphasize that alongside regular anti-drug operations, there should be long-term rehabilitation involving counseling and psychological treatment. To protect the youth, authorities must also identify and prosecute the real beneficiaries behind the trade — not just the low-level dealers.
Investigations show that in Kalapara, a small packet (wrapped in paper) of cannabis sells for around BDT 100–200, while individual yaba pills are sold at BDT 200–300 depending on quality. Alarmingly, women and children are being used to transport the drugs.
OC of Mohipur Police Station, Md. Mahmud Hasan, said "I have held meetings with all officers at the station to address the drug situation. We are also planning new strategies regarding informants. Wherever we receive intel on drugs, police will act immediately."
Kalapara Police Station OC, Md. Jewel Islam, said, our operations are ongoing. We arrest drug dealers and petty criminals almost daily. We’re also being more cautious about handling informants."
