Biman crew held with yaba pills in Saudi Arabia

FT ONLINE

Two crew members of Biman Bangladesh Airlines were arrested in possession of yaba pills by Saudi Arabian law enforcers from a hotel in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.

The detainees have been identified as Al Mamun Shishir alias Ferdous (30) and Arif Pathan Rohit (30).

A narcotics control team of Saudi Arabia conducted a drive and caught the two Bangladeshis red-handed from Hotel Radisson Blue in Riyad on the night of February 27.

Notably, a yaba tablet sells for Tk 2,000 in Saudi Arabia.

Aminul Islam, Biman Bangladesh Regional Manager in Saudi Arabia, confirmed the news of the duo’s detention.

Shakil Meraj, Public Relations Division General Manager of Biman, said, “The narcotics squad of the Riyadh police detective branch received a tip that the two were in possession of yaba.”

“It has not been confirmed whether they were in possession of yaba or Viagra. But we have heard that they were carrying banned drugs,” he added.

The Biman official also stated that Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Golam Moshi has been contacted regarding the situation.

Shishir joined Biman two years ago, while Arif Pathan joined a year ago.