Netrakona, Sept 07 (V7N) — The easy availability of drugs at low prices has raised growing concern over substance abuse in Netrakona , with local residents alleging that numerous drug-selling spots have emerged across the district, from the town centre to remote villages.

Residents claim that cannabis is available for around Tk 150 per packet, while yaba tablets are sold for about Tk 350 each. They allege that organised networks operate around the clock, supplying cannabis and yaba to different areas and putting young people at increasing risk of drug addiction.

Local residents said drugs are being sold openly in several parts of the district, yet the illegal trade has not been effectively stopped. They alleged that some drug dealers have been able to continue their activities for years by exploiting local influence and evading law enforcement.

The widespread availability of drugs is reportedly drawing increasing numbers of adolescents and young people into substance abuse. Residents say the consequences are being felt across society, with concerns over theft, snatching, violence, domestic disputes and other social crimes.

Parents have also expressed deep concern about the future of their children.

Drug Dealers Arrested in Repeated Raids

Law enforcement agencies have continued conducting operations in different upazilas of Netrakona , resulting in the arrest of several suspected drug dealers and the seizure of large quantities of yaba and cannabis.

In a recent operation in Kendua, Mariam Begum, 36, was arrested from a passenger bus with around 7,000 yaba tablets.

According to the Department of Narcotics Control, she and her husband had allegedly been bringing yaba consignments from Chattogram and supplying them to different areas for a long period.

In another operation in the Rajendrapur area, authorities initiated legal proceedings after allegedly recovering 1,000 yaba tablets from Al Amin, 32, Md Russell, 28, and Md Babul Mia, 48.

In separate operations in Barhatta upazila, police arrested Ruhul Amin, 35, with 1,500 yaba tablets and Md Rubel Mia, 28, with 700 tablets, according to police.

In Madan upazila, Md Tarikul Islam, 39, was arrested as an alleged member of an organised drug-trafficking network. Md Jahan Mia, 28, was also detained with 200 yaba tablets.

The name of Md Khorshed Alam, also known as Alam, 32, from Purbadhala, has also surfaced in several police operations, according to law enforcement sources.

Large Cannabis Consignments Seized

Law enforcement agencies have also continued operations against the trafficking and sale of cannabis.

In April this year, the Department of Narcotics Control arrested Md Zillur Rahman, 44, from the Damina intersection area of Kendua police station with 28kg of cannabis, according to officials.

Earlier, in 2025, Babul Mia was arrested from his home with around 1kg of cannabis, according to the information provided.

In separate operations in Mohanganj, Madan and other parts of the district, authorities have also seized cannabis consignments ranging from 5kg to 20kg.

Residents Allege Open Sale of Drugs

Local residents have alleged that several individuals are involved in the sale of cannabis and yaba in different parts of Netrakona town.

They specifically alleged that Anik is involved in drug sales around the Court Station and Bara Station areas, while Montu Karanik, also known as Rohingya, has allegedly been involved in selling cannabis and yaba in the Nagra neighbourhood.

Residents also alleged that drugs are sold openly in front of Swapan Das’s shop in North Nagra, as well as around a tea stall near the Binod Biri Factory and Sudhanshu’s tea stall.

According to locals, children, school and college students and young people frequently move through these areas, while cannabis and yaba are allegedly sold openly.

Law Enforcement Faces Major Challenge

Although district police and the Department of Narcotics Control regularly conduct anti-drug operations, local residents claim that many of those arrested are later released on bail and allegedly return to the same illegal activities.

As a result, they say, the wider drug networks have remained difficult to dismantle.

Concerned citizens believe that arresting only street-level sellers will not be enough to tackle the problem. They have called for the identification and prosecution of the alleged masterminds, financiers and suppliers behind the drug networks.

They also stressed the need for coordinated efforts involving educational institutions, families, social organisations and government agencies to prevent young people from becoming involved in drug abuse.

Residents of Netrakona are calling for stronger, sustained and impartial anti-drug operations to protect the district’s younger generation and curb the spread of illegal drugs.

END/ATN/SMA/