In a joint operation by the army and police against ongoing drug dealing and criminal activities in the Railway Slum of Guha Lakshmipur area in Faridpur Sadar Upazila, 15 individuals have been arrested.
The raid conducted on Thursday, a huge quantity of drugs, local weapons, and other crime-related items were seized. Among those arrested is Shilpi Begum (30), the alleged leader of a well-known drug ring, along with members of her family.
According to army sources, for the past several weeks, numerous complaints were received at the Faridpur Army Camp regarding ongoing drug trafficking, illegal occupation, and local terrorist activities in the Guha Lakshmipur Railway Slum area. Based on confidential sources, it was revealed that Shilpi Begum and her family were operating an organized drug network in the area, openly selling yaba, cannabis, and heroin using women. Investigations found that Shilpi had direct connections with Indian drug trafficking rings and was distributing cannabis brought from India in the area, establishing an illegal economic influence.
On Thursday night (June 26), marking International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the 15 Engineer Battalion and police jointly conducted a special operation. During the operation, 7 individuals were caught red-handed while selling drugs. Later, during a night-long raid and a targeted operation at Shilpi's house in the center of the slum, she and 8 more individuals were arrested. A large quantity of drugs, locally made sharp weapons, and mobile phones were recovered from Shilpi’s house, which had been used for long to instill fear and control in the area.
According to the army, the seized items include 45.5 kg of cannabis, 337 yaba tablets, 211 packets of heroin, 61 locally made weapons, 2 bottles of foreign liquor, 9 feature phones, and 10 Android phones.
The 15 arrested individuals have been handed over to the Faridpur Kotwali Police Station, and the process of filing cases under anti-drug and anti-terrorism laws has begun.
According to army sources, the Army maintains a zero-tolerance policy against illegal arms, drugs, extortion, and terrorist activities. Citizens are requested to assist in crime prevention by providing necessary information to army camps.
