A
BANGLADESHI national in Malaysia has been smuggling the highly
addictive drug "Ice," also known as "Crystal Meth," to Bangladesh for
years through a handful of expatriates, who reportedly have no idea what
they are bringing into the country. When these expatriates leave
Malaysia for Bangladesh, the mastermind gives them small packets
containing crystal meth - which looks like silica gel. Most of the time,
these expatriates face no trouble at the Dhaka Airport while
unknowingly smuggling packets full of the illegal drug. Even when the
expatriates face questions about the substance from Dhaka Airport
officials or at any checkpoints, members of the racket waiting nearby
simply claim that the dangerously addictive drug is nothing, but a form
of silica used to remove moisture from gold.
The Detective Branch
(DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police unearthed the information after
interrogating six people arrested on 4 November over suspected
involvement in the smuggling and sale of crystal meth. The DB is now
looking for the whereabouts of the Bangladeshi national living in
Malaysia also used to smuggle crystal meth into Bangladesh from China
and other countries. One of the arrestees, a dealer named Chandon Roy,
used to sell crystal meth of every 10-gram sachet at Tk1 lakh. Using
gold import and jewellery business as a front, Chandon was expanding his
illegal trade of selling the drug in Dhaka. Chandon also used to import
gold legally, but with each bar of 100-gram gold, he illegally imported
crystal meth by falsely declaring the drug as a chemical for melting
gold.
Businessmen, private university students and kids from rich
families are the main consumers of crystal meth in Dhaka, and their
number is no more than a hundred. Crystal meth is more powerful than
Yaba tablets. The drug is mainly a nerve stimulant and its consumption
increases hormonal arousal a thousand times more than usual. The drug
also poses the risks of stroke, heart attack, teeth decay, and permanent
hallucinations. Police should strongly handle crystal meth and protect
citizens from dangerous drug exposure.