Police recovered a large quantity of drugs, including around one and a half maunds of cannabis and more than 450 bottles of Phensedyl, during a drive in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj early Sunday.

The drugs were seized from the Thakurbari Tek area under Bulta union, said police.

Following the incident, three members of Rupganj Police Station were withdrawn over alleged involvement in drug-related activities.

The officers are Sub-Inspector Humayun Ahmed and Assistant Sub-Inspectors Ahsanullah and Nadirul Islam.

Officer-in-Charge of Rupganj Police Station Sabjel Hossain confirmed the withdrawal.

Earlier, police recovered five sacks of cannabis and over 300 bottles of Phensedyl from bushes and paddy fields in the Lavrapara and Thakurbari Tek areas with assistance from local residents and political activists.

During separate drives, police also arrested alleged drug trader Abu Hanif and one of his associates and seized a pistol with a magazine and a private car used to transport drugs.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Gha Circle) Mehdi Islam said large quantities of drugs have been recovered in the area over the past two weeks.

He said the three police officers were withdrawn following directives from higher authorities after allegations of their links with drug trading surfaced.

Police are verifying information obtained from the arrested suspects to conduct further drives at suspected drug spots, he added.