The yaba problem along the Cox’s Bazar border has emerged as the biggest test for the new Home Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed. The issue is not new; its roots were sown long ago. The trafficking network for the highly dangerous drug is so complex that administrative measures or law enforcement alone have failed to curb its spread. As the district’s MP, any failure to bring the yaba trade under control will be visible not only locally but also nationally, observers believe.
Inquiries reveal that consignments of yaba enter daily through the Teknaf–Ukhiya border. Over the past two years, different agencies have seized on average more than one lakh tablets a day. Yet despite increased seizures, the drug remains readily available on the market. Locals interpret this as a sign that supply has grown, resulting in more recoveries.
