COX'S BAZAR, Aug 03 (V7N) — Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has detained two Myanmar nationals and seized 5.6 lakh yaba tablets during an anti-narcotics operation in Teknaf, a border town in Cox's Bazar district, officials said.
 
The operation was carried out at around 4:20 a.m. on Sunday in the Nazirpara area of Teknaf Sadar Union by members of RAB-15, acting on intelligence about a suspected cross-border drug shipment.
 
According to a RAB statement, officers received information that several individuals had crossed the Naf River from Myanmar into Bangladesh carrying a large consignment of yaba tablets. A raid was subsequently launched in the area.
 
RAB said several suspects attempted to flee after noticing the presence of security personnel. Two men were apprehended following a chase.
 
The detainees were identified as Karim Ali, 32, from Pindisong District, and Hasan Araf, 44, from Maungdaw District in Myanmar.
 
During a search, officers recovered 5.6 lakh yaba tablets from two sacks in the suspects' possession. RAB estimated the value of the seized drugs at approximately Tk 20 crore.
 
According to the law enforcement agency, the two men admitted during preliminary questioning that they are Myanmar nationals. Investigators believe they were transporting the yaba tablets into Bangladesh for distribution to local drug trafficking networks.
 
Lieutenant Colonel Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Commanding Officer of RAB-15, said intelligence surveillance and anti-smuggling operations along the border would continue to curb cross-border narcotics trafficking.
 
"The force remains committed to conducting regular operations against drug trafficking and other criminal activities," he said.
 
In a separate operation on Saturday afternoon, RAB-15 said its personnel detained another suspected drug trafficker in the Boroitoli area of Teknaf Sadar Union and recovered 40,000 yaba tablets. A case has been filed, and the suspect has been handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for further legal proceedings.
 
RAB also reported that over the past 10 days its operations have resulted in the seizure of nearly 8 lakh yaba tablets, 76.2 kilograms of cannabis, seven firearms and 77 rounds of ammunition. During the same period, the force arrested 42 convicted fugitives and rescued two kidnapping victims.
 
The two Myanmar nationals detained in Sunday's operation are being transferred to Teknaf Model Police Station, where legal proceedings are underway, RAB said.
 
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