BGB, BSF DG-LEVEL TALKS TOMORROW

Dhaka to ask Delhi for steps to stop yaba smuggling

Dhaka will ask Delhi to take immediate steps to stop the smuggling of yaba tablets from India at the next director general (DG)-level talks between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) of India, which will begin on February 18 in Dhaka.
Sources in the BGB said the rate of smuggling of the ‘madness drug’ from various Indo-Bangla border points, especially those in Benapole, has risen alarmingly over the past few months. A senior BGB officer, who requested not to be named, told The Independent that they would express serious concern over the issue during the DG-level talks. “At least 14,000 yaba tablets have been seized by the BGB at the Benapole border point in the last two months,” he said.
“We’ll urge the BSF authorities to take immediate steps to shut down yaba factories in India. Otherwise, our youth will be badly affected,” he added.
According to the sources in the Department of Narcotics Control, large quantities of yaba tablets are produced in nine factories across India. These factories produce four brands of yaba tablets, namely  ‘007’, ‘Champa’, ‘WY’ and ‘Neela’.
The sources say several border points at Kashipur, Shikarpur, Putkhali, Goga, Kaiba, Sadipur and Dhannokhola under Sharsha area and Kabinpur, Mashila, Hizli and Jadavpur of Chowgacha and Benapole-Petrapole are the main entry routes through which yaba tablets find their way to Bangladesh. Gold is being smuggled from Bangladesh to India through these routes, they added.
Phensedyl traders smuggle and sell yaba in Jessore, the sources said.
Dr Dulal Krishna Saha, chief chemical examiner at the Department of Narcotics Control, told this correspondent that when he was undergoing training at the National Academy of Customs Excise and Narcotics last year, they were told that there are nine yaba factories in India.
He said the import of raw materials for a cough medicine, pseudoephedrine, has already increased. This is being imported from India and China by owners of local pharmaceutical firms. “Some local drug smugglers are also producing yaba tablets in the country by arranging the raw materials of the ‘madness tablet’ from the local market,” he added. Saha said that some drug users, especially students, are taking drugs by mixing the cough syrup with soft drinks. Sources say smugglers in India are targeting Bangladesh as the demand for yaba tablets in the country has increased
rapidly. The ‘madness drug’ is a potent mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine, and is often spiked with traces of heroin. It has now become the ultimate choice for addicts across Bangladesh, especially those in the 18–30 age group, along with phensedyl. Mostly produced in Myanmar, these tablets enter the country through the eastern borders. It is suspected that a section of political leaders and members of law enforcement agencies are involved in smuggling the drug into the country from the neighbouring countries. Yaba is mostly popular among those who suffer from sexual or mental problems. The drug is believed to have led to organised crime rackets, official corruption, street violence and broken families. According to a human rights leader, yaba addiction has ended the relationship of more than 100 newly married couples. It has even led to an increase in suicides in SAARC countries.

BGB, BSF DG-LEVEL TALKS TOMORROW

Dhaka to ask Delhi for steps to stop yaba smuggling

Dhaka will ask Delhi to take immediate steps to stop the smuggling of yaba tablets from India at the next director general (DG)-level talks between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) of India, which will begin on February 18 in Dhaka. Sources in the BGB said the rate of smuggling of the madness drug from various Indo-Bangla border points, especially those in Benapole, has risen alarmingly over the past few months. A senior BGB officer, who requested not to be named, told The Independent that they would express serious concern over the issue during the DG-level talks. At least 14,000 yaba tablets have been seized by the BGB at the Benapole border point in the last two months, he said. Well urge the BSF authorities to take immediate steps to shut down yaba factories in India. Otherwise, our youth will be badly affected, he added. According to the sources in the Department of Narcotics Control, large quantities of yaba tablets are produced in nine factories across India. These factories produce four brands of yaba tablets, namely 007, Champa, WY and Neela. The sources say several border points at Kashipur, Shikarpur, Putkhali, Goga, Kaiba, Sadipur and Dhannokhola under Sharsha area and Kabinpur, Mashila, Hizli and Jadavpur of Chowgacha and Benapole-Petrapole are the main entry routes through which yaba tablets find their way to Bangladesh. Gold is being smuggled from Bangladesh to India through these routes, they added. Phensedyl traders smuggle and sell yaba in Jessore, the sources said. Dr Dulal Krishna Saha, chief chemical examiner at the Department of Narcotics Control, told this correspondent that when he was undergoing training at the National Academy of Customs Excise and Narcotics last year, they were told that there are nine yaba factories in India. He said the import of raw materials for a cough medicine, pseudoephedrine, has already increased. This is being imported from India and China by owners of local pharmaceutical firms. Some local drug smugglers are also producing yaba tablets in the country by arranging the raw materials of the madness tablet from the local market, he added. Saha said that some drug users, especially students, are taking drugs by mixing the cough syrup with soft drinks. Sources say smugglers in India are targeting Bangladesh as the demand for yaba tablets in the country has increased rapidly. The madness drug is a potent mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine, and is often spiked with traces of heroin. It has now become the ultimate choice for addicts across Bangladesh, especially those in the 1830 age group, along with phensedyl. Mostly produced in Myanmar, these tablets enter the country through the eastern borders. It is suspected that a section of political leaders and members of law enforcement agencies are involved in smuggling the drug into the country from the neighbouring countries. Yaba is mostly popular among those who suffer from sexual or mental problems. The drug is believed to have led to organised crime rackets, official corruption, street violence and broken families. According to a human rights leader, yaba addiction has ended the relationship of more than 100 newly married couples. It has even led to an increase in suicides in SAARC countries.