An increased flow of drugs through many parts of a hill district in Bangladesh in recent times is causing grave concern among the people of the district, said a report in a local newspaper.

Khagrachhari, known as Falan Htaung, is located in the northern part of Chittagong hill tract in Bangladesh and close to India’s Tripura state where various kinds of drugs are available. Among the most popular drugs are heroin and phensydil.

According to the newspaper that drugs are being sold at eight points in Khagrachhari town area and several gangs are involved in the racket.

The drugs particularly heroin, are brought from Burma and India by gangs. Some gangs use ambulances to transport the heroin from border areas so as not to arouse suspicion among Bangladesh law enforcement agencies, the report said.

According to official sources, drugs from Burma are coming into Bangladesh through India’s north-eastern states. Most drugs, including heroin and Yaba tablets, enter Bangladesh through several border points including Cox’s Bazaar, Bandarban and the Chittagong seaport.

The increased flow of drugs in Bangladesh and the tendency among the youth to take to drugs is a cause of serious concern for the guardians in the hill district.

Due to the increased flow of drugs in Khagrachhari, the social equilibrium is being destabilised. To make matters worse drug addiction is breaking apart a number of families and many young people in the district town are destroying themselves, said the report.