The New Nation - Internet Edition

Md. Kamruzzaman Ferose

The illegal drug trade or drug trafficking is a global black market consisting of the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of illegal drugs. While some drugs are legal to possess and sell, in most jurisdictions laws prohibit the trade of certain types of drug. The illegal drug trade operates similarly to other underground markets. Various drug cartels specialize in the separate processes along the supply chain, often localized to maximize production efficiency. Depending on the profitability of each layer, cartels may vary in size, consistency, and organization. Illegal drugs may be grown in wilderness areas, on farms, produced in indoor or outdoor residential gardens or indoor hydroponic grow-ops, or manufactured in drug labs located anywhere from a residential basement to an abandoned facility. The common characteristic binding these production locations is that they are discreet to avoid detection, and thus they may be located in any ordinary setting without raising notice. Much illegal drug cultivation and manufacture takes place in developing nations, although production also occurs in the developed world. Drug Traffickers are very much interested about Bangladesh as a Corridor of Drug Trafficking for various reasons like: Geographical Nature of Bangladesh, political and legal reasons, social disorganization etc.

Bangladesh is situated in the central point between the 'golden triangle' (Mayanmar, Thailand and Laos) and the 'golden crescent' (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) in terms of geographical location. And it is also surrounded by the major drug producing countries of Asia, many of which are strengthening their narcotics legislation and stepping up enforcement measures. Bangladesh with its easy land, sea and air access is becoming a major transit point. Traffickers who supply drugs in the markets of Northern America, Africa, and Europe are routing their shipments through Dhaka, Chittagong, Comilla, Khulna, and other routes in Bangladesh. It is believed that with the increasing quantity of the wares more and more people are likely to get involved in drug business. In this way it ultimately contributes to the number of drug abusers as well. Bangladesh has long borders with India (4025 km) and Myanmar (283 km), makes it particularly suitable for trafficking. The northern and eastern sides are surrounded with hills and mountains. And the western corner is mainly plain land. The hilly regions are suitable for illicit drug trafficking. The traffickers can easily hide themselves in these hilly forests and transfer the drugs safely. In our country there are many border-crossing points from where every day millions of money is being exchanged for drugs. The border crossing points with neighboring countries are shown in Table-1.

The Main Border Crossing Points In Bangladesh That Are Highly Used For Drug Smuggling

Regions Country Border crossing points

Western India Benapol, Dorshona, Dogachi, Parsha, Hilly, Birol, Balubari, Banglabandha.

Eastern India and Mayanmar Latu, Ahamadabad, Akhaura, Koshba, Amratoly, Razapur, Braymmapara, Bibirbazar, Chaddagram, Suagazi, Mirja nagar, Ramghar, Barkal, Ukhia, Teknaf

Northern India Tinbigha Corridor, Patgram, Mogholhat, Ailatoly, Tamabil

In Comilla (Eastern region) India and Mayanmar Amratoly, Razapur, Braymmapara, Bibirbazar, Chaddagram, Suagazi

(Source: Graphosman's New Atlas)

Bangladesh has become the prime transit route for trafficking heroin to Europe from South East Asia, according to the latest report from the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). "There is evidence that heroin consignments destined for Europe are increasingly passing through Bangladesh," states INCB's annual report 2007, which was released worldwide. The report also adds that "The geographical nature of Bangladesh, in particular its long borders with India and Myanmar, makes it particularly suitable for heroin trafficking." INCB notes that the most common methods and routes for smuggling heroin into Bangladesh are - by courier from Pakistan, by commercial vehicles and trains from India and by sea via the Bay of Bengal or overland by truck or public transport from Myanmar. An independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body which implements UN Drug-related conventions, INCB also blamed a lack of resources and training of law enforcement agencies for Bangladesh's failure to 'properly implement' its drug control policy. The report quotes Bangladesh police as saying that the Chittagong seaport is the 'main exit point for drugs leaving the country', while the rest is smuggled out through Sylhet and Chittagong airports. It also cites press reports of couriers trying to carry heroin to Europe on their way from Pakistan through the Zia International Airport in Dhaka. The report observed that the use of Bangladeshi courier services for drug trafficking is on the rise, which largely serves to ship drugs to Canada and South Africa, citing the seizure of 550kg of ephedrine in February 2007. It is Expert opinion that Bangladesh has been used as a transit for illicit drug trafficking from 1976AD and in 1983 AD first heroin trafficker apprehended in Bangladesh. The Vienna-based body also reported the increasing availability of Indian heroin in Bangladesh, along with Indian codeine based cough syrup, sold locally as Phensidyl. The board also noted that increased drug trafficking in Bangladesh could further worsen the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

According to Interpol view; 'International drug trafficker uses Bangladesh as a network corridor of drug trafficking and then crossroad.' From Bangladesh's point of view, human, arms and drug trafficking, increasing smuggling of goods into Bangladesh, and frequent and unprovoked firings by the BSF on Bangladeshi villagers living close to the border are major sources of concern. Unresolved boundary issues are, no doubt, obstacles to orderly and peaceful management of the borders. Proper management of the border will ensure friendlier relation between the two neighbors. It is in the long-term interest of both Bangladesh and India that the border remain peaceful, that the people living in the border areas carry on their normal life without hindrance and restrictions, illegal trafficking in all forms are curbed and that legal trade and commerce flourish. The Indo- Bangladesh border management issue has technical, organizational, financial and political dimensions involving both countries. The future of Indo-Bangladesh relations hinges largely on this issue.

In locales where the drug trade is illegal, police departments as well as courts and prisons may expend significant resources in pursuing drug-related crime. Additionally, through the influence of a number of black market players, corruption is a problem, especially in poorer societies. So, laws related to drugs and drugs trafficking should be strict for controlling drug trafficking effectively. For this, Government should take proper initiatives and have to play a vital role to control drug trafficking in Bangladesh.