Staff Correspondent 

The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has been carrying out operations across the country to control drug trafficking and protect society, particularly the younger generation, from the harmful effects of narcotics. As part of its ongoing efforts, the agency continues to seize large quantities of drugs and arrest suspected dealers from different parts of the country, including the capital.

According to DNC sources, a group was reportedly active in supplying and selling illegal foreign liquor in the capital ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr and other festivals. Acting on a tip-off, DNC detectives learned that illegal Indian liquor smuggled through border areas had been stockpiled in a house in the West Dhanmondi residential area under Hazaribagh Police Station of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), with plans to sell the liquor during Eid.

Based on the information, a team led by Assistant Director Mostaq Ahmed, under the overall supervision of Deputy Director of the DNC Dhaka Divisional Intelligence Office Md. Mehedi Hasan, conducted a raid at a house in the Basila West Dhanmondi residential area under Hazaribagh Police Station at around 10:30 pm on Friday.

During the raid, two alleged drug dealers—Md. Gausul Azam Prince (34) and Md. Abdur Rahman (37)—were arrested. A search of the house led to the recovery of 65 bottles of foreign liquor of various brands from four travel bags kept inside the residence. The seized liquor included Royal Stag, Ice Vodka, Blenders Pride and McDowell’s brands. Each bottle contained 750 milliliters, amounting to more than 48 liters of foreign liquor in total. Four mobile phones believed to have been used in the illegal trade were also recovered.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted that they had been renting the house for a long time and secretly stockpiling foreign liquor for wholesale and retail distribution. According to investigators, Md. Gausul Azam Prince was the main operator behind the illegal liquor business in several areas of Dhaka, including Mohammadpur. Md. Abdur Rahman allegedly collected Indian liquor from various border regions, including Mymensingh and Netrokona, and supplied it to Prince in the capital.

Officials said the suspects had collected large consignments of liquor to take advantage of increased demand ahead of Eid. Authorities also warned that illegally smuggled liquor is often adulterated, posing serious health risks. Such liquor may contain harmful chemicals or excessive methanol, which can lead to vision loss, permanent physical damage or even death.

Law enforcement agencies note that adulterated liquor is often stored and distributed before major festivals such as Eid, Puja and the New Year. In response, operations against illegal liquor and drugs have been intensified. Earlier in January, the Department of Narcotics Control uncovered an adulterated liquor factory in the Bashundhara residential area of the capital.

A case has been filed against the arrested individuals at Hazaribagh Police Station under relevant sections of the Narcotics Control Act 2018. Samples of the seized liquor have been preserved for chemical testing. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing to determine whether others are involved in the network.

The DNC stated that surveillance and special operations will continue across the country, including in the capital, to prevent the spread of illegal drugs and adulterated liquor during the upcoming festival period.