The Department of Narcotics Control has seized 30 kilograms of illegally imported shisha that was smuggled into Bangladesh from Hong Kong concealed inside spice packets. The consignment was intercepted following a two-month intelligence operation, culminating in a controlled delivery arranged by an undercover official.
The raids were conducted late Wednesday night and Thursday morning in the Bangshal and Uttara areas of the capital by the divisional intelligence office of the Department of Narcotics Control in Dhaka. Three individuals, including the importer and the supplier, were arrested during the operations.
Two-month surveillance operation
Md. Mehdi Hasan, Deputy Director of the divisional intelligence office in Dhaka, told Prothom Alo on Thursday night that surveillance was maintained for two months to identify the importers and trace their entire network. At one point, Assistant Director Mostak Ahmed placed an order for five kilograms of shisha with the suspects while posing as a buyer.When the network attempted to deliver the order, the entire consignment was seized and the suspects were apprehended. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the shisha was being imported from Hong Kong by concealing it inside spice packaging.
Legal proceedings are underway to file a case against the arrestees under the Narcotics Control Act. Operations continue to identify and arrest other members of the network.
