The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested five members of an international drug smuggling gang from Dhaka city's Kaula area on Monday.
The arrestees were Fatema Imam Tania, 26, Afsana Mini, 23, Salma Sultana, 26, Sheikh Mohammad Badhon alias Parvez, 28 and Ruhul Amin alias Saimon, 29.
The elite force seized contraband yaba pills, foreign currencies and passports from them.
RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Mufti Mahmud Khan made the disclosure at a press briefing at RAB Media Centre on Tuesday. He said the gang operated in multiple countries.
Mahmud said Sri Lankan authorities arrested two Bangladeshis - Jamal Uddin and Rafiul Islam - in December 2018 with 272 kilograms of heroin and 5 kilograms of cocaine from Colombo. Several days later, Suryamoni, another Bangladeshi, was arrested with 32 kilograms of heroin.
A taskforce was formed in country to investigate the arrests of Bangladeshis with drugs which led to the arrest of suspected drug dealer Choice Rahman on January 12. A case was later filed at Uttara West Police Station, Mahmud said.
After investigation, five members of the international drug gang were arrested in Dhaka. The arrestees said one Arif Uddin was their leader in Bangladesh, Mahmud added.
Arif owns Al-Amin Buying House and has at least 15 to 20 people working in drug trade syndicate, according to RAB.
Quoting arrestees, Mahmud said Arif himself recruited potential members for the syndicate. Rehana and Saimon also helped him with recruitments, according to UNB.
At first, they would involve the new recruits with official businesses but after a few days, some employees were picked for collecting and selling drugs in the country, he said.
When the employees became well acquainted with the business, they would be sent abroad to supply drugs.
According to RAB, the syndicate has networks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
