The drug trade has spread across Khulna city, with drug sales reportedly taking place in all 31 wards from evening until late at night, according to a report of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC).
The DNC has identified 272 people allegedly involved in drug trading in the city and listed 117 drug-selling hotspots. The list has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, seeking necessary directives to curb the illegal trade.
According to the DNC report, drug smugglers bring Phensedyl and Yaba from Satkhira and Jashore by road and rail. The drugs allegedly enter the city in cargo vehicles through Pather Bazar and Zero Point.
Commuter trains from Benapole are also allegedly being used to transport drug consignments, with traders getting off at Daulatpur and Khulna railway stations, it said.
The report identified 117 drug hotspots across the city, including Tutpara, Gachhtala, Mohirbari Khalpar, Greenland slum, Joragate, Hospital Road, Nirala Residential Area, Sonadanga bus terminal, Labanchhara, Zero Point, Kaiya Bazar, Islamnagar, Khulna University campus, Giletala, KUET Road, Daulatpur, Khalishpur, Boyra Bazar, Baikali Bazar, Customs Ghat and Maheshwarpasha Kalibari.
An official holding the rank of deputy director at the DNC also sent a copy of the list to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The report said the hotspots were identified based on information from three intelligence agencies.
The report alleged that before the political changeover in 2024, some senior leaders of the Sramik League and banned Bangladesh Chhatra League had directly or indirectly been involved in the drug trade.
It further alleged that some political and student leaders had invested money to encourage drug sellers and collected monthly payments in exchange for allowing drug sales in specific areas.
The drugs included cannabis, Phensedyl, Yaba and codeine phosphate, according to the report. It said drug transactions worth around Tk 400,000 took place in the city every day at the time.
The report also said the people controlling the drug trade changed following the political transition.
Meanwhile, in a meeting of the law-and-order committee last month, Khulna General Hospital Superintendent Dr Rafiqul Islam Gazi said 137 people underwent dope tests during the month when eight of tested positive for drugs.
Most of those who tested positive were users of morphine and cannabis, he said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (South) of Khulna Metropolitan Police Amit Kumer Bormon said police conduct drives every day to make the city free of drugs.
He said drug dealers were on the run but remained under pressure, adding that Yaba is in particularly high demand among drug users in the city.