Geneva Camp in Dhaka's Mohammadpur has transformed into a hotspot for drugs.
A teenage boy selling marijuana on the streets is a common sight in the area. Women and children can easily be seen selling yaba and heroin. Behind this rampant drug trade lies political influence and administrative weakness.
Stream investigated the drug trade.
Determining the exact number of drug dealers in Geneva Camp is not an easy task. However, according to the police, camp residents, and several sources, the number of people involved in the business is around 3,000 in the area.
Geneva Camp is dotted with five- to six-storied buildings throughout its narrow expanse. Each room in these towering buildings is no larger than eight feet by eight feet. Yet, at least four to five people are crammed into every room. In these small rooms, a major drug empire has quietly taken root, turning Geneva Camp into one of Dhaka's darkest drug dens.
One card of Yaba costs Tk15 lacs
During multiple visits in the area, Stream found that drugs are sold openly at Murgipatti, Babar Road, the alley next to Al-Falah Model Clinic, and Humayun Road.
On the evening of July 5, around 30-35 men of different ages were standing in a queue in front of the now-closed Al-Falah Model Clinic. There was a man with a stick in his hand, making sure no one jumped the queue.
The people were waiting for yaba.
At another part of the neighbourhood, a small pack of marijuana sells for Tk 50. A 25-gram pack costs between Tk 700 and Tk 1,000.
"I sell marijuana and yaba. There are different types of yaba pills. The price depends on the quality. Some can't be sold for any less than Tk 250. Others go for as low as Tk 200," said a yaba seller.
When asked about wholesale prices, the dealer said, "Yaba is supplied from Geneva Camp to many neighbouring areas, including Mirpur, Rayerbazar, and Adabor. Here, yaba is sold in 'cards.' One card contains 10,000 pills. The price of a card ranges from Tk 15 lacs to Tk 17 lacs. That means each pill costs around 150 to 170 taka."
How the drug market operates
To understand how the drug trade functions inside Geneva Camp, Stream spoke to locals, drug dealers, and buyers.
Requesting anonymity, a drug dealer said, "There is a division of labour. Some focus on retail sales, others manage wholesale distribution. Also, there is a separate group dedicated to delivery.
"Many women and children in the camp are also involved in this trade. Some keep the stash in different locations while others handle the packaging. Some others work as guards."
Asked where the supply comes from, he said, "Yaba and heroin are brought from Chattogram and Cox's Bazar. A specialised group is responsible for the shipping."
Political leaders protect drug trade
Geneva Camp falls under Ward 32 of the Dhaka-13 constituency. In 2008, Jahangir Kabir Nanak was elected a member of parliament from this constituency. According to the residents of the camp, Nanak started protecting the drug dealers after taking his oath. Eventually, his son, Sayem-ur-Rahman, started getting involved in these activities.
Camp locals also added that Habibur Rahman Mizan, commonly known as Pagla Mizan, became close to Nanak after Sayem died in 2011. In 2015, Mizan was elected as the councillor of this ward. He then began engaging in several illegal activities in the camp, including the drug trade and land grabbing.
In 2019, during the anti-casino crackdown, Mizan was arrested by the RAB in Srimangal. According to the locals, he is still in jail.
In 2020, Syed Hasan Nur Islam (commonly known as Rashton), another close associate of Nanak, became the councillor of the ward. According to residents, he too established a drug syndicate.
Powerholders change, the syndicate doesn't
After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, unrest began anew in Geneva Camp. Gunfights have been breaking out almost every night. Since August 5, at least seven people have been killed in turf wars, and several hundred men and women have been injured.
Mohammad Zia, 27, a resident of the camp, said that after councillor Rashton fled, drug dealers were left without political shelter. In this new situation, they began fighting among themselves to gain dominance over the camp.
Zia claimed that local BNP leaders are now stepping in to fill the vacuum left by ousted political figures.
He told Stream, "Since August 5, local BNP leaders have been providing political protection to the drug dealers."
However, a BNP leader from the Mohammadpur area, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Stream, "The drug syndicate remains just as it was. Those who previously enjoyed protection under the Awami League have simply rebranded themselves, now displaying BNP banners and posters to carry on their activities. I've already raised the issue with senior party leadership, urging them to take action against these so-called 'new BNP' members who are exploiting the party's name."
He added, "This syndicate is so dangerous that I can't allow my name to be published in the newspaper. They would abduct and assault anyone they want. They do whatever they want to do."
Due to the narrow alleys of Geneva Camp, most drug dealers can easily escape during police raids, noted Ruhul Kabir Khan, Deputy Police Commissioner of the Tejgaon Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
He told Stream, "Drugs can't truly be eradicated; they can only be controlled. We are trying to control the situation. Alongside the police, the army and RAB are also active on the ground. Our operations are ongoing."
Gang wars throughout the camp
Conversations with several current and former drug dealers, as well as residents of Geneva Camp, revealed that more than a dozen gangs have formed within the camp, many operating with political backing. These groups have primarily emerged to gain control over the local drug trade.
One drug dealer said, "Among the top drug lords in Geneva Camp is Bhuiyan Sohel, also known as Bunia Sohel. After taking over the yaba market, he has built a heroin business. On the other hand, Selim, also known as Chua Selim, wants to maintain control over the yaba trade."
The drug dealer also informed that there are other gangs in the camp, including the Picchi Raja Gang, the Sayedpuria Gang, and the Shanti Group Gang. Many smaller gangs operate under the protection of these groups. These gangs also work as hired 'goons' involved in the drug trade.
Geneva camp: A community gripped by fear
Sajid, a resident of the camp, told Stream, "If you speak out against drugs, you get exposed. If you protest, the dealers will plant yaba in your home and call the police. Then the police would come and take you away. These incidents have occurred frequently."
Harassing a journalist
On July 5, the Stream reporter went to the alley near Al-Falah Model Clinic to film a video report on Ashura and to investigate the drug trade. Upon reaching Imambara on the opposite side of the clinic, suddenly, some people surrounded the reporter. They snatched the camera from his hands. During this period, several dealers harassed the reporter in various ways, including physical assault.
The Iftari team
The drug dealers in Geneva Camp refer to the raid teams as the Iftari Team. The dealers have informants within these teams, so they get a warning in advance before any operation begins. This fact has also been confirmed by authorities.
Shamim Ahmed, Deputy Director of the Dhaka Metro North Drug Control Department, told Stream, "We have limited manpower. When we conduct raids, we have to seek help from other forces. But once we do that, the information gets leaked. The dealers escape, and only the small-time sellers are caught."
There are nearly three thousand officers and employees working across the country at the Department of Narcotics Control. The agency's operations run with this limited manpower, so raids must be conducted cautiously.
Mustaq Ahmed, Assistant Director (Prevention Education) and Public Relations Officer of the Department of Narcotics Control, told Stream, "We cannot carry out raids with so few people. When an 8-10-person team goes on a raid, they face attacks from drug dealers. Not long ago, one of our staff members was injured in an attack by dealers at Geneva Camp."
When asked what the department plans to do under these circumstances, Mustaq Ahmed said, "Many dealers are armed. We cannot confront them at gunpoint. Still, we have continued the operations. Recently, we received approval to use weapons. After purchasing arms and receiving training, we hope to perform better."
Hafizur Rahman, Police Inspector (Investigation) of Mohammadpur Police Station, told Stream, "There have been killings in Geneva Camp due to fights for dominance over drugs. We have taken action immediately after such incidents. The accused have been arrested and sent to jail. Our operations against drugs are ongoing."
Asked how the drug business continues amid ongoing operations, Hafizur Rahman said, "Our job is to make arrests. If the court grants them bail afterwards, then what can we do?"
What the Experts Say
According to the experts, drug dealers need medical treatment and rehabilitation beyond arrests and punishments to reintegrate into normal life.
Rashed Didarul, executive director of the NGO Nongor, which runs anti-drug programs in Bangladesh, told Stream, "We have tried to raise awareness among various drug dealers, but there hasn't been much change. If those involved in the trade can be rehabilitated, their numbers may decrease."
Professor Ahmed Helal of the National Institute of Mental Health told Stream, "A large portion of those who sell drugs also use drugs themselves. Therefore, they should be seen not only as criminals but also as patients. First and foremost, they need comprehensive medical treatment. After that, with proper rehabilitation and employment in respectable professions, they can surely return from the dark world they are in."
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