B.Mirror Desk: Tongi in Gazipur has long been known as an important area for drug traffickers due to its proximity to the capital, convenient transportation system, and densely populated area. There are allegations of drug trafficking in various slums including Hajir Mazar, Bank Math, Keranirtek, and Ershad Nagar in Tongi.
Local residents and law enforcement sources say that in addition to small and big drug traffickers, a section of women are also active in these areas. A drug trafficking network has been formed around some of them. It is alleged that family members and many other local women work as their associates.
Momela Begum, a resident of Bank Math slum in Tongi, has been mentioned as one of the big drug traffickers. According to law enforcement, there are multiple drug cases against her. She is accused of starting with marijuana and later getting involved in the business of phensedyl, heroin, and yaba.
Momela Begum is accused of amassing huge wealth through drug trafficking. Local sources say that she and her family members have houses, land and vehicles in different areas of Tongi. Law enforcement sources also said that she was arrested with Yaba and heroin on November 2 last year.
Another prominent female drug dealer in Bank Math slum is Moyna Khatun. There are also several drug cases against her. Local sources claim that some of her family members are also involved in drug trafficking. There are also drug-related charges against Moyna’s daughter Nargis and daughter-in-law Rozi.
Moyna Khatun’s brother Shafiqul Islam is also accused of transporting Yaba. It is known that he has been arrested by law enforcement several times. Moyna’s son Tajul Islam Taju also has a drug-related case. There are allegations that family members are building wealth in Gazipur and Madaripur with the money earned through drug trafficking.
Afrina Akhter, known as ‘Bard Apa’ in Bank Math slum of Tongi, is also identified locally as a major drug dealer. She is accused of wholesale trade in Phensedyl and currently selling Yaba. Local sources claim that her husband and brother are cooperating in this work.
Kulsum is accused of being active in Keraniretek slum. Locals allege that although she was once financially insolvent, her wealth increased through drug dealing. She is also accused of creating a place to sell drugs by occupying railway land. Police recently reported the arrest of her sister Nargis with marijuana.
Karima Begum’s name has also emerged as another female drug dealer from the same area. There are several drug cases against her. Police sources say that she was arrested on July 18. It is alleged that she has become the owner of a huge wealth through long-term drug dealing.
Outside Tongi, there are also allegations of female drug dealers in Kashimpur and Laxmipura areas of Gazipur metropolis. Locals say that Dalia Begum of Nayapara area of ​​Kashimpur has changed a lot in the past few years. Although she used to work in someone else’s house, her family currently owns several houses in the area.
Tahmina and Asha from Laxmipura area are also identified locally as being involved in drug trafficking. They are also accused of amassing wealth through drug dealing.
Sources in the law enforcement agencies say that these women are not alone; many other women and men work around them at the local level. Some are allegedly involved in drug collection, some in transportation, and some in retail sales.
Additional Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Md. Belayat Hossain said that regular operations are being conducted to stop drug trafficking in various slums of the metropolis. In the last eight months, a large amount of drugs have been recovered in these operations and many traffickers have been arrested.
He said that electricity connections have recently been disconnected in some slums. In addition, with the help of the Capital Development Authority, several drug dens have been demolished and government land has been recovered. There are plans to conduct operations in different slums in phases to make Tongi drug-free.
Although anti-drug operations have been intensified in various areas of Gazipur, according to locals, conducting operations alone will not provide a permanent solution to the problem. In addition to stopping the supply of drugs, it is important to identify the source of the drug’s funding, sponsorship, and related networks and take legal action.