About 5 thousand 147 crore rupees are smuggled out of Bangladesh every year due to drugs. This information has emerged in a report on illegal financial flows of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It has been said that Bangladesh is at the top in Asia and fifth in the world in terms of money laundering from drug smuggling. The four countries in the world that are above Bangladesh in terms of illegal drug money flow are Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. These four countries are known as drug empires in far Latin America. From that point of view, this picture of drug smuggling in South Asian country Bangladesh is very worrying. In fact, two major crimes are taking place simultaneously in this area - one is drug smuggling, the other is money laundering.
According to UNCTAD report, Yaba, heroin and various types of drugs are entering Bangladesh. And money to buy drugs is being smuggled from Bangladesh. In fact, money is being smuggled out of the country in various ways. Various steps have been taken to prevent money laundering. But none of them yielded results. Both areas can benefit if there is a strict crackdown on drug smuggling. The effects of the drug economy on the socio-cultural fabric of the country are far-reaching and profound. Drug addicts are indulging in various crimes. They are involved in crimes like murder-robbery, theft-robbery, rape and kidnapping. Sometimes, exceptional events like Oishi stir us and make us tremble; But it appears as a bubble. Drug trade and drug addiction are so widespread that it is spreading almost like an incurable cancer. New drugs are emerging in the society. Ice, MDMA, LSD, Yaba, Cisa, Phencidyl, Ganja, Heroin, Cocaine etc. are spreading with each other. But the entry of drugs into the country cannot be prevented in any way. In 2018, law and order forces launched a massive campaign against drugs across the country.
It was said that the government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against drugs. Many arrests were made during that time and there were reports of several deaths in gun battles with the law enforcement agencies. But drug smuggling or drug proliferation did not stop. The biggest reason behind this is the involvement of many influential people in this business. Allegedly, drug dealers continue to commit various crimes unhindered from the shelter of political leaders. Even some members of law enforcement are accused of conniving with drug dealers. It is important to pay attention to these places to prevent the spread of drugs. All illegal drug importers, no matter how influential, should be identified and prosecuted along with strict vigilance at the country's border areas. Information about drug traffickers' money transactions should also be disclosed. In most areas drug money is transacted through hundi. There is an opportunity to file a case under the Money Laundering Act. However, it is not enough to file a case, it is important to ensure the punishment of drug offenders. For this proper charge sheet and sufficient evidence is required. Law enforcement agencies should be vigilant in this regard.
