Woman arrested for allegedly using children to smuggle yaba

Image- Collected

The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has arrested a 45-year-old woman in Chattogram’s Anwara upazila for allegedly using underprivileged children to smuggle yaba.

Sharmin Akter, also known as Ismat Ara, was identified by Rab as the suspected ringleader of a drug-smuggling syndicate operating between Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram. Two children, aged nine and 12, were also rescued during the operation.

Rab said the woman allegedly lured the children with promises of monthly payments and financial support for their families before forcing them to swallow packets containing yaba pills.

Following a tip-off, Rab arrested Sharmin in Sarkarhat on Monday. During questioning, the children reportedly told officers that they had yaba packets inside their stomachs. X-rays at Chattogram Medical College Hospital confirmed the presence of the packets.

Doctors later recovered 3,300 yaba tablets from the nine-year-old and 3,315 from the 12-year-old, totalling 6,615 pills.

According to Rab, members of the syndicate had taken the children near the Kutupalong Rohingya camp and promised them Tk 8,000 a month along with grocery support for their families.

Rab warned that carrying yaba inside the stomach is extremely dangerous, as a ruptured or leaking packet can cause severe poisoning and potentially result in death.

Sharmin was handed over to Panchlaish Police Station along with the seized evidence. A case under the Narcotics Control Act was being filed, while Rab continued efforts to arrest other members of the syndicate.