DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT IN BANGLADESH

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1 DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT IN BANGLADESH Presented by: Government of the People s Republic of Bangladesh

2 WELCOME 1st Programme Steering and Policy Coordination Committee (PSPCC) of UNODC Regional Office, New Delhi, India November 2013.

3 BANGLADESH AT A GLANCE Global Location- Longitude Latitude Official Name: The People s Republic of Bangladesh Area: 1,47,570 Sq.Km Population: Million Density of Population: 964 per Sq.Km Number of Household: 3,20,67,700 Population Living Percentage: Rural: 76.57% Urban: 23.43% GDP: $269.3 Billion, Per Capita Income: $ 960, GDP Growth: 6% GDP Sector: Agriculture-18.6%, Industry-28.6%, Service-52.8% Labour Force: Million (Agriculture-45%, Industry-30%, Service-25% Religion Based Population: Muslim 89.7%, Hindu 9.2%, Buddhist 0.7%, Christian 0.3%, others 0.1%

4 The World s Largest Mangrove Forest- Sundarbans

5 The Largest Sea Beach in the World- Cox s Bazar

6 Drugs Phenomena Drug epidemic in developing countries has changed global drug scenario Billion-dollar anti-drug budgets of developed countries have compelled the drug traffickers to switch over to the underdeveloped countries and explore new drug market. Drug lords have emerged as parallel Governments in many countries. They are a threat to public health and public safety. UN attaches highest priority to drugs issues. Global Program of Action for Drug Abuse Prevention and Control. Government of Bangladesh is highly sensitive and responsive to drug menace.

7 Law Enforcement Cooperation at the National Level Bangladesh is not a Drug Manufacturing Country but because of its Geographical location, it has become destination, source and transit country for international drugs smugglers. Drugs are smuggled from neighboring countries. Committee at National level, Divisional level and District level Meeting held Monthly Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard and Department of Narcotic Control (DNC) Activities : Intelligence Activities Conducting Expedition Filling Case Prosecution

8 Current Situation Abusers mostly male. Number of drug users: approximately 4.6 million; 80% are youth, 34% unemployed, 50% involved in various social crimes; 40% are illiterate, 48% have secondary level of education; 98% are smokers, 57% have unsafe sexual relations; The injecting drug users are vulnerable to have HIV infection; Women and street children are largely used in carrying and peddling drugs.

9 A street boy Injecting Buprenorphine

10 METHODS OF CONCEALMENT Phensedyle carrying in Gas cylinder

11 Heroin carrying in Sandal

12 Special Technique of Smuggling Phensedyl in Coconuts. Courtesy: DNC Photo Archive

13 They are not member of any suicidal squad. They are wearing special type of Phensedyl smuggling jacket. Courtesy: DNC Photo Archive

14 Courtesy: DNC Photo Archive Smugglers carrying Phensedyl concealed in consignment of vegetable in truck.

15 Special technique of smuggling Phensedyl in specially made cavity inside timbers. Courtesy: DNC Photo Archive

16 Courtesy: DNC Photo Archive Smuggling of Phensedyl in Coffin.

17 Technique of a Women Phensedyl Carrier, Inside Pumpkin Smuggling of Phensedyl in Pumkin. Courtesy: DNC Photo Archive

18 Operation by DNC with the help of RAB

19 A Man got Arrested While Carrying Phensedyl Inside Pipes.

20 A kind of Commonly Used Drug Sample

21 WITH EGG BASKET

22 Phensedyl in Pumpkin Cannabis in packets of Sweets.

23 CAUSES & VULNERABILITY OF DRUG PROBLEM IN BANGLADESH Geographic and strategic location near the drug producing belt. Increasing rural-urban migration and expanding slums. Poverty (Though the scenario is improving fast and significantly). Lack of awareness on the adverse effects of drugs. Unemployment. Youth force is under-utilized. Availability of drugs (though not easily)

24 Evolution of Drug Use in Bangladesh Till 1970 Cannabis smoking, opium swallowing and drinking alcohol. Till 1984 Mritasanjibani, Cannabis and various alcoholic preparations From 1990 Heroin, Phensedyl, Cannabis, alcohol From 2000 Injecting drugs, Heroin, Phensedyl, Cannabis, alcohol From 2005 Yaba (ATS), Injecting drug, Heroin, Phensedyl, Cannabis, alcohol From 2008 Glue Sniffing, Yaba (ATS), Injecting drug, Heroin, Phensedyl, Cannabis, alcohol

25 PREVALANCE OF THE MAJOR DRUG ABUSE IN BANGLADESH AND TRENDS: Bangladesh: not a drug producer or a source country. Drugs are smuggled from other countries. Commercial production of tobacco and alcohol (on an extremely limited scale; one company only). Consumption of alcohol requires license from the competent authority. Opium: introduced during the colonial rule Heroin and psychotropic substances: introduced in mid-eighties. Codeine (Phensedyl): prevalence for last two decades. Yaba: Introduced in last five years.

26 FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DRUG PROBLEM IN BANGLADESH Geographical location near Golden Triangle Use of the territory of Bangladesh for international drug trafficking Rapid rural-urban migration and overpopulated slums Over population and unemployment Cultivation of poppy and manufacture of yaba in this region. Inadequate social awareness on adverse effects of drugs

27 LEGISLATION The Narcotics Control Act, 1990 is the principal counter-narcotics legislation in Bangladesh. The rules under this law are: The Narcotics Control Rules, The National Narcotics Control Board Fund Rules, The Private Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Rules The Prohibition Rules, 1950 (still in force as per NC Act 1990). Other important Legislation relating to drugs are: The Special Powers Act, 1975 (anti-smuggling). Prevention of Money Laundering Act, The Code of Criminal Procedure, The Evidence Act, 1872.

28 OFFENSES AND PUNISHMENT UNDER THE NARCOTICS CONTROL ACT, 1990 Cont. Sec. Offences Punishments: Imprisonment /fine Min. Max. 9 Illicit import, export, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, purchase, transport, shipment, storage, possession, warehousing, use, etc. of drugs/precursor 02 Yrs Death penalty 10 Illicit import, export, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, purchase, transport, shipment, storage, possession, warehousing, use, etc. of alcohol 02 Yrs 10 Yrs 19 Any sort of handling of drugs or precursors or their preparations without license/permit/ pass 02 Yrs 10 Yrs

29 20 Illicit Possession of apparatus/utensils/ ingredients for manufacture/processing drugs/precursors 02 Years 15 Years 21 Allowing land, house, apparatus, utensils, transport for committing offences of drugs/ precursors 23 Violation of the conditions of license/ permit/pass Fine 05 Years Fine 05 Years 24 Search, seizure or arrest for Fine 01 harassment Year 25 Abetement/conspiracy/financi ng/ patronizing 03 Years 15 Years 26 Penalty for offenses for which punishment has not been prescribed 01 Year 1 Year with fine of Tk. 5000

30 RAIDS, SEARCHES, SEIZURES AND ARRESTS The operations of raid, search, seizure and arrest are guided by the Narcotics Control Act, The DNC, the Police, RAB, Customs, BGB and Coast Guard are empowered to conduct raid, search, seizures and arrests. The Executive Magistrates are also empowered to conduct search, seizures and arrests under the provisions the Mobile Court Act The master law for the procedures of search, seizures and arrests is the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.

31 OPERATION OF MOBILE COURTS ON DRUGS: The Government has recently introduced Mobile Drug Court under the Mobile Court Act The Mobile Courts apprehend criminals, prosecute them on the spot, and impose short term punishment on confession. There is no provision of bail in Mobile Court. These sorts of summary trial have been found very effective to control crime, speed up trial system and enhance public awareness on drugs and related offences.

32 STATISTICS ON MOBILE COURT OPERATION Year Raids Case s Arres ts 2010(Aug- Dec) Comment s All convicted All convicted All convicted 2013 (up to July) All convicted Mobile court has been functioning since August 2010 against drug smugglers and drug abusers

33 Problems and Difficulties The problem is gradually expanding among all the segments of the society. Youths are the main victims. Linkage between drug abuse & various social crimes. Increase in victimization of under-privileged women and street children in drug trade Abuse of heroin is almost static with little decrease in Phensedyl Little increase in usage of tobacco & inject able drugs but relatively high usage of tablets including Yaba. Danger of HIV infection among ID users. Less prevalence of drug abuse among the female population

34 What are the Ways Out Expand Public Awareness Establish more facilities for Cultural activities, Games and sports etc. Create more income generating source Strictly enforce Narcotic Act and all the related laws. Special motivational campaign in schools, colleges, universities, places of worship etc. and other social and cultural organizations. Involvement of noted personalities in the campaign against drug abuse. Increasing role of Electronic and print media- such as sort film, drama, documentary etc.

35 Priorities for Future UNODC Cooperation Government of Bangladesh is highly sensitive and responsive to drug menace Capacity building Training Sharing knowledge and experience Technological and other forms of support

36 Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation Bilateral agreements Memoranda of understanding Coordination among nodal agencies in SAARC Countries and beyond

37 Existing Regional Cooperation Mechanism Bilateral Agreement between Bangladesh and India. Follow up and Cooperation with the UNODC Communication in between the Focal points on these issues among the SAARC Countries Drug Law enforcement : Computer Based Training (CBT), 150 persons already trained and ongoing with other 150. Ongoing Forensic Training. Ongoing Drug Treatment project using Methadone (HIV/AIDS prevention). Coordination with National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh for container control.

38 Possible Initiatives to Enhance Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation Regional cooperation should be increased Joint training programmes should be arranged Increased sharing of knowledge and experiences A proper guideline should be followed by all. Gaps should be reduced between the Pharmaceutical Policies of the countries in the region. Possibility of Radio system (Walky Talkie) supply as quick communication device.

39 Recommendation 1. Granting permission for thorough surveillance of all humans and imported commodities at the Bangladesh - Myanmar Border with the dog squad and Modern drug identifying devices. 2. Regular meeting of the Focal Points. 3. Regular Bilateral meeting with Bangladesh & Myanmar. 4. Like India, regular communication with Myanmar should be established to develop anti-drug activities. 5. Strict measures need to be taken by both Bangladesh and neighboring countries at the border area to prevent the drugs entry. 6. Under the supervision of Ministry of Home Affairs Bangladesh Drugs Surveillance Network should be developed. 7. Establishing check post in places where drugs are abundantly found. 8. Increased Surveillance is needed at all the sea ports using Back Scatter vehicles for thorough checking of all imported containers. 9. Special checking for drugs should be done at all the airports. 10.Mobile tracing devices should be also used. 11. Assistance & cooperation should be increased with UNODC.

40 THANK YOU

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