Bangladesh’s geography has become both a blessing and a curse. Sandwiched between India and Myanmar, two of the world’s recognized drug epicentres, the country now finds itself battling an epidemic it did not create, with its social and security structures under growing pressure. While Bangladesh produces almost no narcotics itself, it has become a major transit point for illicit substances, leading to a surge in addiction and forcing law enforcement agencies to contend with increasingly sophisticated trafficking networks.
Myanmar’s Golden Triangle remains a global source of methamphetamine and heroin, and large quantities of these synthetic drugs continue to flow across the Naf River and Bay of Bengal into Bangladesh. India, with its extensive pharmaceutical industry, has been identified by the U.S. government as a source of precursor chemicals and diverted pharmaceuticals, further complicating the problem.
The human toll is staggering. The Department of Narcotics Control reports that in 2025, Bangladesh has approximately 8.3 million drug users, with 2.3 million addicted to yaba, underscoring the scale of the crisis. Law enforcement agencies seized over 37 million yaba tablets in 2024 alone, alongside heroin and crystal meth. Border Guard Bangladesh and Coast Guard units regularly intercept shipments along the Teknaf–Cox’s Bazar corridor, yet many trafficked drugs evade capture. A senior BGB officer, speaking anonymously, noted: “Most of the yaba is manufactured in Myanmar, yet it is our society that suffers. Every shipment we intercept suggests many more have already crossed.” India presents a parallel challenge, with codeine-based cough syrups such as Phensedyl, banned in Bangladesh, flowing illegally across the border. Officials describe the scale of smuggling as “industrial,” highlighting organized networks that operate with impunity across national frontiers.
The consequences for society are severe. Addiction fuels crime, erodes productivity, and places heavy burdens on healthcare systems. Security forces conduct thousands of anti-drug operations annually, often facing armed syndicates with modern weapons. Analysts describe the drug trade as a form of “silent hybrid warfare,” weakening Bangladesh internally while neighbouring states deflect responsibility. Despite repeated diplomatic engagement, Dhaka has seen limited progress: India cites its own struggles against smuggling, while Myanmar’s political instability has crippled border enforcement.
Experts argue that Bangladesh must act decisively. A multi-pronged strategy is essential: deploying advanced border surveillance technologies such as drones and thermal cameras, pressing neighbouring countries to take responsibility for cross-border trafficking, and expanding rehabilitation and social programs to address the millions already affected. As a retired major general observed: “Drugs are the new weapons. If we don’t treat this as a national security threat, we will lose the next generation without a single bullet being fired.”
Bangladesh’s position between two drug epicentres has made it a conduit for substances it did not produce, but the nation cannot remain passive. The social fabric, economic stability, and security of future generations depend on urgent, coordinated action to stem the tide of narcotics flowing across its borders.
Khaled Ahmed is a former intelligence analyst and military expert from the Netherlands with over 15 years of experience in operational intelligence, threat analysis, and strategic defence planning. Having served in various classified roles within Dutch military intelligence, Khaled brings deep expertise in European security, NATO doctrine, and asymmetric warfare. His international perspective and first-hand operational knowledge contribute unique insights into intelligence-led defence analysis and strategic forecasting. He regularly contributes to high-level risk assessments and security briefings, providing readers with clear, actionable intelligence perspectives. He leads the National Security and Fact Analysis sections at BDMilitary.
