Asharaful Islam Joy:

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-12 in a drive on Friday morning recovered over five mounds of hemp and arrested two drug peddlers in this connection from a covered-van on the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway at Char Hamkuria area in Tarash upazila of Sirajganj district.

The arrested are Ershad Ali alias Hridoy, 20, and Md. Al-Amin, 22.

Acting on a tip off, RAB forces led by Sadar Company Commander and Squadron Leader Md. Ilias Hossain set up a temporary check post at Char Hamkuria area on the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway at around 5.30am and recovered the banned marijuana (hemp) amount of around 216 kg from the covered-van.

During the drive, the RAB forces also arrested two youths in this connection and seized the covered-van, which was being used to carry the narcotics, said Additional DIG Mohammad Maruf Hossain, Commander of RAB-12 in a press briefing held at its office at around 11:00am on Friday.

“RAB forces conducted the drive and arrested duo on charge of getting involved with the hemp trade. Two mobile phones, two SIM cards and some money were also recovered from their possession by the elite forces during the drive,” he added.