Vijayanagar, a border upazila in Brahmanbaria, has emerged as one of Bangladesh’s key transit points for drug trafficking and smuggling. Large quantities of drugs, including yaba, phensedyl, ganja, scof syrup, and foreign liquor, are entering daily through the 34-kilometer border with India’s Tripura state via the unions of Paharpur, Bishnupur, and Singarbil.According to local administration data, 550 to 600 drug traffickers are active in the upazila, though locals estimate the number exceeds a thousand. Drugs are smuggled through approximately 18-20 border points and distributed across the country via rail, road, and waterways. Smugglers, often disguised as beggars or hawkers, use Harashpur, Mukundpur, and Ajampur railway stations for transportation. During the monsoon season (7-8 months), waterways are used, while roads are utilized during the rest of the year to transport drugs to the capital and other cities.
Around 320 to 350 retail drug sale spots have emerged in the upazila, attracting users from nearby areas, including Brahmanbaria Sadar, Sarail, Nasirnagar, Ashuganj, Nabinagar, Kishoreganj, and Narsingdi. Women are increasingly involved in the drug trade, with some hiding drugs on their bodies, acting as lookouts, or investing in the business. Allegations suggest that influential local political figures are facilitating the trade and taking commissions.
Several drug traffickers, speaking anonymously, described the business as risky but profitable. However, they noted that profits diminish over time due to sharing with various parties. They also claimed that fear of legal cases and coercion forces many to continue in the trade. One trafficker stated, “Even if we want to leave, we’re not allowed. If someone has a drug case against them, they’re often implicated in new seizures, forcing them to negotiate and continue the business to avoid legal repercussions.”
According to Vijayanagar Police Station, from January to June 2025, 86 drug-related cases were filed, with 75 individuals arrested. Seized items include 711 kg of ganja, 1,286 pieces of scof syrup, 628 bottles of phensedyl, 72 bottles of foreign liquor, and 18,890 yaba tablets.
Abu Yousuf Bhuiya, headteacher of Kalachhara High School in Bishnupur Union, warned, “Most men and women in this area are getting involved in drugs. If urgent action isn’t taken, the border area will become unlivable.”
Vijayanagar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shahidul Islam said, “The police are working tirelessly to curb the drug menace. Based on confidential information, operations are being conducted to seize drugs.”
