Pickup seized over attempt to smuggle government medicine late at night

Local people have seized a pickup while a large quantity of government medicine was being taken away from Ghatail Upazila Health Complex in Tangail around 11pm on Wednesday night.

The locals stopped the suspiciously moving pickup at Gobindasi T-Road area of Bhuapur and found bags full of government medicine inside. Later police arrived and seized the pickup along with the medicine.

Local and police sources said the medicine-laden pickup was heading towards the Jamuna river at Gobindasi from Ghatail Upazila Health Complex. Finding the movement of the vehicle suspicious, the locals blocked its path. Later they found government medicine inside the bags and informed the police.

Driver of the seized pickup Azmat claimed that a person named Babul had hired his vehicle to deliver the bags from the hospital to Gobindasi. He claimed he did not know what was inside the bags.

Ghatail Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Abu Nayeem Mohammad Sohel admitted the negligence of the authorities in connection with the incident and said strict action will be taken against those involved. An investigation committee is being formed on the matter.

Officer-in-charge of Bhuapur police station Rezaul Karim said the pickup, medicine and driver seized by the locals have been kept in the custody of the police station. The matter has been informed to the higher authorities and necessary legal steps are in process.