Authorities have identified around 1,600 drug kingpins operating through 162 entry points across the country

Anti-drug drives launched nationwide following the government’s announcement have so far failed to make a significant impact on drug trafficking. Even after 17 days of the crackdown, there has been little visible improvement, while major drug kingpins continue to evade law enforcement. Although several large consignments were seized at the start of the operation, its momentum has gradually weakened.

Officials and analysts say law enforcement activity remained largely inactive during the previous interim administration, allowing traffickers to expand their networks. As a result, the situation has become increasingly difficult to control. Despite ongoing operations, narcotics continue to enter the country through 162 routes across 29 border districts. Supplies of yaba, cannabis, heroin, and phensedyl are also spreading into remote areas.

Police and the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) said preparations are underway to strengthen the special anti-drug operation. Police headquarters has issued special instructions to identified drug “red-zone” districts, while the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed Border Guard Bangladesh to enforce tighter surveillance along border areas.

According to intelligence agencies, nearly 1,600 drug kingpins are currently active across the country. The trafficking network reportedly operates through three tiers and involves around 21,000 traffickers. Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Khulna are believed to have the highest concentration of dealers.

Sources said traffickers are now adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics and disguises. A DNC official noted that their methods have become so advanced that many operations remain undetected unless disputes emerge within the networks themselves. Crime analyst and Dhaka University Associate Professor Touhidul Haque said drug control efforts would remain ineffective without a coordinated strategy and a genuine zero-tolerance policy. He also stressed the importance of using advanced technology along border areas and ensuring strict monitoring to identify any officials involved in trafficking networks.

DNC Director (Operations) Md Bashir Ahmed said special anti-drug drives are being conducted across the country following the government’s declaration, leading to numerous arrests and drug seizures. He added that authorities are working to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy against narcotics.

Police headquarters Assistant Inspector General (Media) AHM Shahadat Hossain said many street-level dealers and couriers have already been arrested and interrogated in efforts to trace major kingpins.

Statistics indicate a sharp rise in the flow of drugs into the country. In 2024, authorities seized 22.85 million yaba tablets nationwide, while the figure increased to 43.56 million last year. Law enforcement agencies also recovered 166 kilograms of heroin, 14.5 kilograms of cocaine, more than 96,000 kilograms of cannabis, and over 319,000 bottles along with 81 litres of phensedyl.

DNC data also revealed seizures of crystal meth, commonly known as “ice,” alongside shisha products, ketamine, cannabis kush, and more than 120,000 tapentadol tablets — substances that were rarely seen in the country only a few years ago. Officials also noted that drugs originating from Western countries are becoming increasingly popular among affluent youths.

Authorities say nearly all border districts are now being used as drug smuggling routes. Traffickers from neighboring India and Myanmar continue supplying narcotics through porous border points, while allegations of Rohingya involvement in certain trafficking activities have persisted for years.