Monthly drug trade worth hundreds of crores in Gazipur

The narcotics trade in Gazipur, an industrial city near the capital Dhaka, is thriving. With over 200 drug hubs operating across the district, more than 500 wholesale dealers are active—many flourishing under the protection of influential figures.

The wealth amassed from the drug trade is being used to build homes, purchase vehicles, and accumulate significant assets.

Women drug lords have taken over the reins in many of these markets. They’ve used drug profits to buy private cars, trucks, and auto-rickshaws for their husbands, along with houses and apartments.

Despite occasional raids and arrests of small-time dealers, the major players largely remain untouched. In some cases, minor operatives are arrested but manage to secure bail and return to business.

The rise in drug trafficking has led to an increase in addiction, leaving many parents at their wits’ end. Addicts are resorting to violence, even against their parents, to obtain money for drugs. In one tragic case on 29 April, a father from Nanaiya village in Sreepur killed his drug-addicted son while he slept, later surrendering to police.

Tongi is considered the hub of Gazipur’s drug empire. Major drug bazaars have emerged around its slums—Ershadnagar, Mazar Basti, Bank Field Basti and Keranir Tech. Despite several raids by joint forces and the arrest of over a hundred dealers, the trade continues unabated, with many female dealers in control.

Among the most notorious are Momela Begum, Moyna Begum, and Afrina Begum of Bank Field Basti—all reported millionaires.

Momela owns three houses in Tongi, including a multi-storey building named “Zahid Hasan Villa” on Kuddus Khalifa Road, another house worth half a crore taka on Jugibari Road, and a semi-finished house in Pubail’s residential area.

She has gifted four mini-trucks and auto-rickshaws to her husband. She has also gifted a private car worth Tk20 lakh to her daughter’s husband, allegedly a police informant. Police records show Momela has faced 17 drug cases between 2010 and 2021.

Moyna Begum, through her relatives—including her brother Shafiqul Islam, daughter Nargis Akhter, and son Tajul Islam—all named in multiple drug cases, has built properties in Gazipur and Madaripur.

Another drug queen, Rani Begum, along with her son Rabbani and other dealers like Ripon Mia, Tukkhu, Ratna, Amir Kana, and Mridul, control Tongi’s markets.

The largest drug market in Gazipur Sadar is in Lakshmipura of Ward 27. There, 15 years ago, Tahmina Akhter arrived from the slums of Demra, Dhaka, and rose to become a major heroin and yaba dealer. Her entire family—including her husband and four children—is involved in the trade, owning a four-storey house. Tahmina has seven drug-related cases, and her son Jewel was known to have ties with local ruling party leaders.

In the same area, Harun and his wife Asha have also become millionaires through drug dealing, with over a dozen cases filed against them. Their son Konok, a Jubo League member and police informant, owns a multi-storey house built with drug money.

Rajon, the son of local councillor Javed Ali, was another major dealer. In September 2022, he died while attempting to escape a police raid by jumping from a third floor.

The rise of 'Naya Don'—convicted dealer Dabaru

Shahabuddin alias Dabaru now controls the Varan Mazar Basti drug market in Tongi. With seven drug cases against him—including a 35-year sentence—he had fled after his mentor Bachchu was killed in a 2018 shootout. Dabaru returned following the fall of the previous government and took control, operating openly from an office on Honda Road. Residents claim he is the wholesale supplier of heroin, yaba, alcohol, cannabis, and phensedyl.

Attempts to contact Dabaru for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off. Tongi West Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Iskandar Habibur Rahman confirmed ongoing anti-drug operations in the area.

Police report wholesale drug markets in Konabari, Kashimpur, Board Bazar, Bhogra, Salna, and Pubail. Drug sales are also rampant in alleys and corners of the district’s five upazilas. Officials estimate the daily trade value at over Tk100 crore.

Even when arrested, many dealers quickly secure bail and return to business. On 9 March, police arrested Minara Akhter and Runa Akhter with 8,000 yaba tablets. In April, others were caught with 12,000 and 3,800 pills. Most secured bail within two weeks and resumed dealing.

Gazipur Superintendent of Police Dr Chowdhury Md Hasan Jaber Sadek stated that comprehensive anti-drug operations are ongoing.

Md Emdadul Islam Mithun, Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control in the district, echoed the same, assuring continued action against drug traffickers.