Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members detained six drug peddlers with crystal meth, also known as ice, from Dhaka's Uttara area today, according to a press release by Rab.

Rab's Legal and Media Wing Director Commander Khandaker Al Moin said they increased surveillance and initiated an investigation after learning from sources that a gang were trying to set up a "meth lab" to make adulterated ice and other drugs.

A team of Rab-3 conducted a drive from yesterday evening till dawn today in Uttara and detained six drug peddlers including the kingpin Md Tawfiq Hossain (35). The other arrestees are Md Jamirul Chowdhury (37), Md Arafat Abedin (35), Md Rakib Basar Khan (30), Md Saiful Islam (28), and Md Khaled Iqbal (35), said Al Moin.

Rab also recovered ice, yaba tablets, foreign alcohol, marijuana, 13 foreign weapons, replica weapons and large quantities of laboratory equipment.

The meth lab was originally run with the help of arrested Arafat Abedin and some of his associates, the press release said.

The arrested accused are part of an organised syndicate. Tawfiq is the founder and coordinator of the business and there are 10-15 more people involved, said Rab in the press release.

During interrogation, they provided specific information about some more syndicates and the people involved.

Rab will continue its operation to find other drug peddlers, said the release. 

Legal action is being taken against those arrested, said Al Moin.