Why taskforce to control drugs formed so late

Cox’s Bazar and the Rohingya camps located there have gradually turned into hotspots for drugs. Almost every day, various well-known and lesser-known drugs – including yaba and crystal meth (ice) – are entering through Cox’s Bazar from Myanmar, and spreading across the country. The Rohingya refugees were already a major concern for Bangladesh, and now the drugs entering through them are becoming an even greater threat with each passing day. The unchecked spread of yaba and other drugs centred around the Rohingya refugee camps is not only destabilising local communities, but also endangering national security, the economy, and the future of the youth.

Although this drug issue has been discussed for a long time, no effective action had been taken until now. According to media reports on Sunday (17 August), the caretaker government has recently taken a major initiative to rid Cox’s Bazar and the Rohingya camps of drugs. On 22 July, a taskforce was formed comprising representatives from 15 agencies. Major General Mohammad Asadullah Minhajul Alam, GOC of the 10 Infantry Division and Area Commander of Cox’s Bazar, has been appointed head ofj the taskforce. Its first meeting took place last Thursday. There, it was decided that visible progress must be achieved within three months. This information comes from multiple responsible sources.

There is no doubt that the formation of this taskforce is both timely and essential. But at the same time, one must ask: why did it take so long to form a taskforce for drug control? According to law enforcement sources, yaba is entering the country through 11 points in Teknaf. With Bangladesh seen as a safe route for yaba smuggling, the Myanmar government has established 37 factories along the Arakan border with Bangladesh.

According to statistics from the Department of Narcotics Control, more than 8.6 million people in the country are now addicted to drugs. A large number of the country’s young people are among them. Experts say drug addicts have become a burden on their families, society, and the state. In addition to domestic unrest, many crimes stem from drugs. A huge amount of money is laundered through drug trafficking. A single drug-addicted child can destroy a well-ordered family in moments.

Under these circumstances, the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar have become a source of deep anxiety for Bangladesh. The situation is becoming increasingly alarming. Bangladesh shares a 271 km border with Myanmar, and about 80% of Rakhine State is under the control of the Arakan Army. Various sources around the border report that this armed group receives a major portion of its funding from the yaba trade. After taking control of Rakhine from the junta government, yaba-producing factories have come under the Arakan Army's control. They are continuing the yaba trade using many Rohingyas as couriers.

Given Cox’s Bazar’s strategic geographical position and its proximity to the Myanmar border, drug trafficking here is extremely difficult to prevent. Border security, unrest in refugee camps, poverty, and an unprotected youth population – all these have made it a fertile ground for drug syndicates. This reality cannot be tackled by law enforcement alone. Therefore, a coordinated and effective taskforce made up of the army, police, RAB, BGB, intelligence agencies, and local administration may offer the most practical solution.

The taskforce has taken the previous failures to control drugs in Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas as a challenge. They have engaged in internal discussions, identified past weaknesses, and are now setting the right mission, vision, plans, and strategies to overcome them. They are proceeding with awareness of public opinion, social influence, resistance, and communication – all key elements in tackling the issue. The taskforce believes that due to a prevailing mindset among a large section of the local population, it has not been possible to break the grip of drugs. People from many sectors and professions are now involved to some degree. There is also a lack of political will among local politicians. Many leaders and their associates are directly or indirectly involved in the yaba trade.

Furthermore, the border areas not only lack alternatives but also face severe employment shortages. So, the taskforce’s activities must not be limited to just raids and arrests. Several other aspects need equal attention: launching education, employment, and awareness programmes in the Rohingya camps; creating alternative livelihoods for local youth; increasing tech-based border surveillance (drones, CCTV, scanners); and bringing the key financial backers of the drug trade to justice. However, it must also be remembered that as long as the Rohingyas remain in Bangladesh, this threat will persist.