Police Arrest Trio Running Retail Drug Operation in Kishoreganj amid Local Outcry
Police in Bhairab arrested three suspected drug dealers on Tuesday following a community-led intervention in the Amlapara neighborhood. Officers apprehended 35-year-old Hasi, her husband Sijan Mia, and their relative Ashik Mia after residents reported that the couple had turned their home into a primary hub for retailing Yaba pills and heroin.
During the raid, authorities recovered 100 packets of heroin, 110 Yaba tablets, and 147,640 taka in cash. According to Limon Bose, an inspector at the Bhairab Police Station, the suspects were already facing multiple charges under narcotics control laws. Bose identified Hasi as a well-known dealer in the region, noting that the arrests were part of an ongoing effort to curb local drug distribution.
The operation was prompted by persistent complaints from local residents, who claimed the couple’s residence operated as a bustling marketplace for narcotics from dawn until late. Witnesses reported a constant stream of customers arriving by rickshaw and auto-rickshaw, which they alleged fueled a spike in local petty crime, including theft and robbery. Residents described the situation as increasingly dire, stating that some families had been forced to sell their homes and relocate due to the deteriorating security environment.
The arrests occurred when Ariful Islam, general secretary of the Bhairab Upazila BNP, visited the area to inspect local infrastructure projects. After being approached by neighborhood women regarding the drug trade, Islam and a group of local residents proceeded to the suspects’ house. Upon realizing they were being confronted, the occupants attempted to dispose of the contraband by throwing it out of a window before police arrived to secure the scene.
Following her arrest, Hasi sought to deflect blame by asserting that she was being unfairly targeted, claiming that drug use and sales are pervasive throughout Bhairab, particularly in the Panchabati Pukurpar and Amlapara districts. She further alleged that the proceeds from their illicit activities were not kept solely by the couple, claiming that a significant portion of the profits was diverted to local influential figures and corrupt political actors as protection money. Sijan Mia echoed these sentiments, alleging that the overhead costs of the business, which included monthly payoffs to avoid police interference and the recurring expenses of legal defense, consumed most of their earnings.
Bhairab remains a high-risk transit point for narcotics due to its strategic position along road, rail, and river networks. Local officials and residents continue to advocate for more consistent enforcement, citing the deep-rooted impact that the retail drug market has had on the town’s social stability.
