The Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) arrested a passenger at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday night for attempting to smuggle 6,378 pieces of Yaba tablets concealed inside his stomach.
The arrestee, Md Pannu Hawlader (30), a resident of Amtali upazila in Barguna district, was detained at the domestic terminal’s arrival gate area after he landed in Dhaka from Cox’s Bazar on a US-Bangla Airlines flight (BS 142).
Acting on a tip-off, APBn personnel intercepted him on suspicion of carrying narcotics. During preliminary questioning, Pannu admitted that he had swallowed several capsules filled with Yaba to transport them undetected.
He was then taken to the airport medical centre, where an X-ray scan revealed multiple oval-shaped objects inside his abdomen. Under medical supervision at Kurmitola General Hospital, he later excreted 136 capsules wrapped in tape, which contained a total of 6,378 Yaba tablets.
APBn officials said Pannu had been involved in drug smuggling for an extended period, transporting consignments between Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka for a narcotics syndicate.
A case has been filed against him with the Airport Police Station under Section 36(1), Subsection 10(g) of the Narcotics Control Act, 2018.
APBn Operational Commander Mohammad Mozammel Haque described the incident as “astonishing,” adding that the battalion remains vigilant against any illegal activities or drug trafficking through the airport, conducting regular operations to ensure passenger safety and national security.
AU/BP
