In Dhaka division alone, there are at least 3,500 drug dealers including 95 godfathers who are running the illicit trade under the nose of the law enforcement agencies.

The list was recently updated by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC).

"Some of these listed drug dealers are directly involved, some are patronisers and some are financiers," DNC Additional Director Fazlur Rahman told a press briefing at its Tejgaon office yesterday after arresting five drug dealers along with 560 grammes of "ice" and 1,200 pieces of yaba tablets.

DNC made the arrest after raids in Gulshan, Bhatara, Kuril and Ramna areas of the capital on Wednesday.

The narcotics official claimed that this is the largest consignment of "ice" ever seized in Dhaka.

Alongside yaba, drug traders are now peddling the high-priced synthetic drug crystal meth, also called "ice", according to narcotics officials.

About the list, he said even if the narcotics department had the list, it could not conduct drive because of lack of manpower. But now, the DNC has added more manpower and logistical support.

Citing the Narcotics Control Act, he said to bring a drug addict or dealer under the law, the drugs have to be confiscated in his possession. It is usually difficult to bring the kingpins under the law or arrest them, because drugs are found only with the peddlers, Fazlur said.

ICE: AFFLUENTS THE TARGET

Crystal methamphetamine, a powerful drug that affects the central nervous system, poses high risks of stroke, heart attack, teeth decay, and permanent hallucinations, according to the website of the US National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The DNC official said the high-priced synthetic drug is sold to affluent people living in upscale neighborhoods – 10 grammes go for a minimum of Tk 1 lakh.

The arrestees who were held during Wednesday's drive, are -- Jakaria Ahmed (32), Tarek Ahmed (55), Saddam Hossain (31), Shahidul Islam Khan (48), and Jashim Uddin (50). Two private cars were seized from them.

The arrestees include drug traders and addicts. Most of them are from affluent families, officials said.

In the last two years, law enforcers conducted raids in Dhaka and Chattogram, and seized a huge amount of crystal meth.

On August 21, DNC arrested 10 persons with 500 grammes of crystal meth and 5,000 yaba pills from the capital's Uttara, Banani, Banasree, Khilkhet and Bashundhara Residential Area.

DNC officials said in recent times, meth is being smuggled in from Myanmar through Teknaf border, an established gateway for yaba.