Bangladesh has unwittingly become a pivotal transit point for an international cocaine smuggling network that has operated for over a decade, according to officials from the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC). Recent data analysis of seized cocaine over the past 10 years has exposed the alarming trend of traffickers using Bangladesh as a conduit to reach destinations in India, Europe, and North America.
A staggering 41 kg of cocaine has been seized in Bangladesh between 2014 and 2024, with the highest single consignment of 13 kg recovered in 2023. Notably, eight individuals, including citizens from Malawi, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, were apprehended on January 26 in connection with an 8.5 kg cocaine seizure. The alleged leader of this international ring, a Nigerian, remains at large.
DNC officials acknowledge the challenges in intercepting every cocaine consignment due to a lack of specific information, despite the recovery indicating an influx of cocaine into the country. Interestingly, there is no domestic demand for cocaine in Bangladesh, and rehabilitation centers report no cases of cocaine addiction among patients.
The Global Cocaine Report-2023 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reveals that South America produces approximately 2,000 tonnes of cocaine annually, with Colombia contributing 61%, Peru 26%, and Bolivia 13%. The report also highlights global cocaine addiction, with 30% of users in North America, 24% in South America and the Caribbean, and 21% in Europe, along with users in Africa and South Asia.
Noteworthy findings from the report indicate that traditional smuggling routes from South America are facing heightened security measures. As a result, drug smuggling rings are exploring new paths, with South America to Europe and the USA via Africa and the Middle East, utilizing routes through India and Bangladesh.
Examining five recent cocaine recovery incidents in Bangladesh, it becomes evident that foreign nationals were involved in each case, originating from South America through various countries. A decade ago, a Peruvian citizen was apprehended in Dhaka with three kg of cocaine, emphasizing the complexity of these international drug operations.
DNC’s research emphasizes Bangladesh’s susceptibility to drug smuggling due to its geographical location at the convergence of the ‘Golden Triangle,’ ‘Golden Crescent,’ and ‘Golden Ways.’ This has positioned the country as a preferred transit point for drug trafficking networks.
Recent revelations also point to the involvement of African drug rings, with significant cocaine seizures in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Cape Verde. The DNC has information linking a Nigerian citizen, Don Frankie, as a key player in the smuggling of 8.5 kg of cocaine into Bangladesh. With citizens from various countries participating in drug dealing rings within Bangladesh, law enforcement agencies have identified 726 individuals from 33 countries involved in criminal cases.
While international criminal rings are undoubtedly playing a role in Bangladesh’s cocaine smuggling scenario, challenges persist in obtaining comprehensive details about these networks. The intricate ‘cut out’ method employed by drug rings keeps carriers uninformed about the consignment’s destination, making it challenging for law enforcement to penetrate the global drug trafficking web.
