Several areas of Tongi, including Hajir Mazar, Bank Math, Keranir Tek, Ershad Nagar and adjoining slums, have reportedly become centres of drug dealing.
Local residents and sources familiar with law enforcement activities say a number of women are also involved in the drug trade in these areas. Some of them have allegedly built extensive networks with the help of family members and other local associates.
Among them, Momela Begum, a resident of the Bank Math slum in Tongi, has been identified by local sources as one of the major alleged drug dealers in the area.
According to law enforcement sources, Momela faces several drug-related cases. She allegedly started her involvement with cannabis before expanding into the trade of phensedyl, heroin and yaba.
She has also been accused of accumulating substantial wealth through the drug trade. Local sources claim that houses, land and vehicles have been acquired in her name and in the names of family members in different parts of Tongi.
Law enforcement sources said Momela was arrested with yaba and heroin on November 2 last year.
Another woman who has drawn attention in the Bank Math slum is Moyna Khatun, who is also facing several drug-related cases, according to sources.
Local residents allege that several members of her family are involved in the drug trade. Her daughter Nargis and daughter-in-law Rosi have also reportedly faced allegations related to drugs.
Moyna’s brother, Shafiqul Islam, has allegedly been involved in transporting yaba and has reportedly been arrested several times by law enforcement agencies. Her son Tajul Islam Taju also faces drug-related cases, sources said.
The family has allegedly accumulated properties in Gazipur and Madaripur using proceeds from the drug trade.
Afrina Akter, locally known as “Boro Apa”, has also emerged as a prominent alleged drug dealer in the Bank Math area.
Local sources claim she was previously involved in the wholesale trade of phensedyl and is currently engaged in yaba sales. Her husband and brother allegedly assist her in the business.
In the Keranir Tek slum, Kulsuma has reportedly been active in the drug trade. Local residents say she was once financially disadvantaged but later acquired considerable assets.
She has also been accused of occupying railway land and establishing a place there for selling drugs. Police recently arrested her sister Nargis with cannabis, according to law enforcement sources.
Another woman identified as Karima Begum has also been named by locals as an alleged drug dealer in the same area. She reportedly faces several drug-related cases and was arrested on July 18, according to police sources.
Sources allege that she accumulated substantial wealth through her long involvement in the drug trade.
Outside Tongi, allegations of women’s involvement in drug dealing have also surfaced in Kashimpur and Lakshmipura areas of Gazipur City.
Dalia Begum of Nayapara in Kashimpur is among those locally identified as being involved in the drug trade. Residents say her lifestyle has changed dramatically over the past few years.
According to local accounts, she previously worked as a domestic helper, while her family now reportedly owns several houses in the area.
Tahmina and Asha of the Lakshmipura area have also been locally identified as alleged drug dealers. They too have been accused of accumulating wealth through drug trafficking.
Law enforcement sources say the women do not operate alone. A wider network of men and women allegedly assists them at different stages of the trade, including collecting, transporting and selling drugs at the retail level.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Md Belayet Hossain said regular drives are being conducted to curb drug dealing in various slums across the metropolitan area.
He said a large quantity of drugs had been seized and many alleged drug dealers arrested during drives over the past eight months.
The police official also said electricity connections had recently been disconnected in some slum areas. With assistance from the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), several drug dens were demolished and government land was recovered, he added.
He said authorities plan to conduct operations in different slums in phases to make Tongi free of drugs.
Despite intensified anti-drug operations in different parts of Gazipur, local residents say raids alone will not provide a lasting solution.
They believe authorities must also identify the sources of drug supplies, financial transactions, patronage and the wider networks behind the trade, and take legal action against those involved.
