District Correspondent, Sylhet: Descending from the old Dhaka-Sylhet highway and walking a few minutes through the narrow paths of Teliapara Tea Garden leads to a peculiar sight. Just before the Nachghar and Bot Tola gates, six children and teenagers were seen standing on either side of a narrow road.
It was 4:30 in the afternoon. Four youths, wearing helmets, alighted from two motorcycles and had a brief conversation with two of the standing kids. After handing over some cash, the children pulled out four bottles of Indian Phensedyl syrup from behind the tea bushes and handed them over to the newcomers. The buyers immediately opened the caps, consumed the Phensedyl, and threw the empty bottles inside the garden before leaving the spot.
This scene was witnessed during a recent on-site investigation. Teliapara Tea Garden is located in Madhabpur Upazila of Habiganj District, near the India-Bangladesh border.
In a covert conversation with Khowai, one of the six children revealed that the motorcyclists bought the Phensedyl for BDT 1,200 per bottle and that the children received a commission of BDT 100 per bottle.
Upon exploring the narrow paths of the garden, countless empty Phensedyl bottles were found scattered under the tea bushes. Drug peddlers reportedly collect these bottles daily and burn them to destroy evidence.
Later, after managing to gain access past the Nachghar and Bot Tola gates by negotiating with an employee, a few mud houses were found about five minutes’ walk away. One of these houses, known to be owned by a “Phensedyl dealer,” was neatly furnished.
Here, Phensedyl is sold for BDT 1,100 per bottle. Buyers were seen entering the house, consuming the Phensedyl within minutes, and leaving.
During this time, motorcycles, microbuses, and private cars were observed parked near Bot Tola as people entered and exited this house from afternoon till evening. Surprisingly, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) vehicles were also seen moving through the garden’s paths during this period.
15 Tea Workers Allegedly Involved in Drug Trade
Investigations revealed that at least 15 listed tea workers in Teliapara Garden are involved in the drug trade. They reportedly stock various drugs, including Phensedyl, alcohol, cannabis, and beer.
The garden’s Bot Tola area is just half a kilometer away from the barbed wire fence of the India-Bangladesh border on both its eastern and western sides. Local sources, on the condition of anonymity, stated that drugs are smuggled into Madhabpur across this fence early in the morning.
Phensedyl Traders Remain Untraceable Despite Cannabis Seizures
Habiganj District law enforcement and BGB seize drugs worth millions of taka every month and arrest drug dealers. However, reports of Phensedyl traders being apprehended are rare. Allegations suggest that certain corrupt law enforcement officers are bribed to allow Phensedyl trade in Teliapara Tea Garden.
When contacted through the official mobile number of BGB’s Teliapara Border Outpost, an officer, declining to reveal his identity, stated, “Provide us with proof of drug sales; BGB is working to combat drugs. We will take action.”
When asked how open drug trade escapes their notice despite BGB vehicles patrolling the area, the officer remained silent for a while and then requested an in-person meeting before disconnecting the call.
Crowds Flock to Tea Garden for Cheap Phensedyl
Investigations revealed that Indian Phensedyl prices are determined daily based on stock availability. Although the standard price in the garden is BDT 1,100 to 1,200 per bottle, prices surged to BDT 2,000 to 2,200 during the last Eid season.
While Phensedyl is sold for BDT 1,100 to 1,200 in Sylhet’s Companiganj and Habiganj’s Teliapara, the price doubles or triples in Habiganj town. In Dhaka, each bottle sells for up to BDT 5,000. This price disparity drives drug users to the border tea gardens.
Drug Smuggling Under the Cover of Other Businesses
Taking advantage of lower Indian Phensedyl prices in Habiganj and other parts of Sylhet Division, people from other regions transport these drugs under the guise of other commodities. On March 12, Habiganj District Police’s Detective Branch (DB) seized 400 bottles of Indian Phensedyl from a truck carrying stones.
According to reports, when flagged at a checkpoint, the driver of a yellow old truck abandoned the vehicle and fled. Upon inspection, 400 bottles of Phensedyl were discovered inside the truck. Sources revealed that trucks carrying other goods often hide Phensedyl consignments.
Accidents on the Old Highway
On April 1, the day after Eid, three youths riding motorcycles lost control and were injured on the old Dhaka-Sylhet highway passing through Surma Tea Garden near Teliapara. Earlier, on January 16, a motorcyclist died in the same upazila’s Amtali area. In recent months, two more motorcyclists lost their lives on this road. Locals stated that many young people enjoy speeding after consuming Phensedyl, leading to frequent accidents on this old highway.
Tea Garden Authorities Aware of Drug Trade
Dipal Kumar Singh, a former manager of Teliapara Tea Garden, stated, “The administration is working against drugs. However, being a border area, they cannot completely eliminate drug trafficking. As a result, regular garden activities are disrupted since general workers hesitate to work in a crime-prone environment.”
Habiganj Superintendent of Police (SP) ANM Sajedur Rahman said, “Police are working against drugs everywhere. I was unaware of the open drug sales in Teliapara. I will investigate the matter and instruct the concerned officers to take immediate action.”
