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Commanding Officer of the Border Guard Bangladesh Distributes Narcotic Drugs (Yaba) in Cox's Bazar
- globalarakannetwork
- Nov 14
- 5 min read
News Translation
Global Arakan Network November 14, 2025
Lt. Col. Farukh Hossain Khan, the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 34th Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion in Cox's Bazar, has been accused of sharing yaba with traders. He has also been involved in various criminal activities including smuggling and torturing traders at the border. Lt. Col. Farukh has given drug traffickers the opportunity to cross the border with contractual benefits. He has even been accused of using government vehicles to safely deliver yaba consignments. It has also been reported that he directly assisted in smuggling cows and other goods at the border.
Intelligence sources and investigations have revealed that he has divided a huge consignment of Yaba seized in a recent operation and resold it to the dealers. In two sensational audio clips obtained by Jugantor, Farukh can be heard talking about drug distribution and planning a dramatic operation in the name of the operation. When asked about the audios, he admitted the authenticity of the audios. However, he said that it was a 'operation strategy' and that he was the victim of a deep conspiracy.
Meanwhile, after the investigation of Jugantar came to light, the matter reached higher levels. As an urgent measure, Lt. Col. Farukh has been withdrawn from Cox's Bazar 34 BGB. In addition, the government intelligence agency has also recommended taking strict action against him.
When asked about this, BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui said,
"Lt. Col. Farukh Hossain Khan was withdrawn from Cox's Bazar 34 BGB as a preliminary measure after being informed about the allegations against him." He also said,
"BGB is a professional and responsible force. If any member of the force violates discipline or is involved in illegal activities, strict action will be taken against him - no matter how high his position is. We will bring the matter under internal investigation. If the allegations are proven, strict action will be taken according to the law."
Yaba distribution: In an audio clip obtained by Jugantor, a BGB source can be heard discussing Yaba distribution and delivery with Colonel Farukh. The exact dialogue is as follows:
Source: Sir, Assalamu Alaikum. Sir, how are you?
Farooq: Walaikum Assalam. Yes, yes, good.
Source: Sir, the point is that I told Shahajan Bhai. The goods will arrive - 20 cards of Yaba (about 2 lakh pieces). Out of this, 15 cards will be whatever you want, and 5 cards (50 thousand pieces) will be given to me. There will be two more with me. You will receive the consignment from the mouth of Paglir Beel Road - next to Hotel Wakia. There will be a driver with me, there will be two more - a total of four people. Please make only the driver an accused, that is all I request.
Farooq: I wish. You can take me to a quiet place on Marine Drive.
Source: You will decide that, sir.
Farooq: You have to give me 5 cards, right?
Source: Yes, sir.
Farooq: Okay.
Source: Sir, tomorrow we will pull the car after iftar. You will be ready before iftar.
Farooq: Okay.
Source: Delivery must be made before the Morichcha checkpoint, sir.
Farooq: Okay, okay.
According to multiple reliable sources and intelligence information, a dramatic operation was conducted on March 30, the evening before Eid, from Paglir Beel Road in Cox's Bazar Sadar. Although the operation was supposed to seize a consignment of Yaba, it was not included in any case or seizure list at the police station. Local sources claim that the entire consignment has disappeared.
Sources further said that the consignment of Yaba belonged to 'Yaba Godfather' Iqbal of Ratnapalong, Ukhia. The seized Yaba was secretly sold by Lt. Col. Farukh through a drug dealer named Ilias Majhi of Ghumdhum area.
'This is food, it's not illegal': In another audio obtained by Jugantor, Farukh can be heard commenting on the smuggling of various goods across the Myanmar border. He said, "Our people are crossing the border with sacks on their heads. 6,000 taka per head. This is food, it's not illegal."
It is alleged that on the orders of Farukh, with the direct assistance of some members of the 34 BGB patrol team, these goods were transported across the border to Myanmar. A fixed commission was collected for each product. At least 50 percent of that commission went into Farukh's pocket. The rest went to the members of the patrol team concerned and the local syndicate.
More serious allegations: Lt. Col. Farukh has been accused of distributing Yaba, giving concessions to smugglers, accepting bribes and staging dramatic raids. Among them, on March 8, a smuggler with 80,000 Yaba was arrested and released for Tk 4 lakh. A case was filed for 50,000 pieces.
In addition, on March 17, 70,000 Yaba was seized and 30,000 disappeared. On March 25, a smuggler with 50,000 Yaba was arrested, the case was only for 10,000 pieces. On February 26, a smuggler with 30,000 Yaba was arrested, released for Tk 2 lakh and sold for Tk 20,000. On February 20, 50,000 Yaba was seized, 30,000 were sold and a case was filed for Tk 20,000.
Meanwhile, Farukh is accused of abusing three people, including Ghumdhum businessman Jamal, for an hour. Jamal said that Farukh beat him with his own hands. He has filed a written complaint with the BGB headquarters and intelligence agencies regarding the matter.
Intelligence agency recommends strict action: Jugantor spoke to a top official of the government intelligence agency regarding Lt. Col. Farukh. He said that Farukh had been warned at least twice in the past. But even that did not stop his activities, rather the level of crime increased with time. For this reason, recommendations have been sent to the relevant departments to take necessary administrative action against him. The intelligence agency informed that Farukh is not only involved in heinous crimes like Yaba trade, but he has also assisted in smuggling at the border.
What Lt. Col. Farukh Hossain Khan said: When asked about the allegations, Lt. Col. Farukh Hossain Khan told Jugantor, "I admit that the two audios are mine. However, the audio regarding the distribution of Yaba was strategic. Yaba is not given to any source after the operation. The conversation that was broadcast, the shipment was not successful in the end."
Farukh also said that these allegations have come to light because of strict action taken against some sources and yaba dealers. He claims that he has become controversial in such a short time because of them. He said that various propaganda is being spread against me because of them. Meanwhile, he admitted to the audio conversation regarding smuggling of goods in his head, but could not give any clear explanation for it.
Regarding the allegations of transporting Yaba in his car in exchange for a large commission, Farukh said, "This is completely untrue. No one except me and the driver gets into my car." Regarding the allegations of Yaba being seized during various raids, he said, "Many members accompany us during raids. If you want, you can verify the matter from them too."
Partially admitting the charges of torturing three people from Ghumdhum, Farukh said, "Sometimes in the border area, some people need to be kept under a little pressure so that they don't get involved in drugs or smuggling. If they were suspicious, my people might have given them a few blows with a cane."
Action if allegations are proven: Brigadier General MM Imrul Hasan, the regional commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Cox's Bazar, told Jugantor, "No one has ever complained to me about the activities of Lt. Col. Farukh. This is the first time I have come to know about some allegations through you.
If someone had formally complained to me, I would have been happy and would have definitely investigated and taken necessary action." He also said, whoever is the culprit in the BGB, if the allegations are proven, action will be taken against him. No matter how high the rank of the officer, if anyone commits a crime, he will be punished.