RAJSHAHI, Aug 18, 2026 (BSS) - Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs with a view to building a crime-free and safe metropolis, RMP Commissioner Mohammad Foyzul Kabir said.

"If we can control the drug trade, crime will come down to a large extent. No drug dealer will be allowed to conduct their business in peace," he said in an exclusive interview with BSS on Monday.

The RMP commissioner told drugs mainly enter the city through two routes-Chapainawabganj and Godagari upazila-and are subsequently distributed among dealers in different parts of the metropolis.

"To break the supply chain, regular police checkpoints are being set up at all entry points to the city," he said, adding that law enforcement agencies have already seized consignments of yaba, tapentadol tablets and cannabis from different checkpoints and arrested those involved.

"Drug dealers are in trouble due to intensified police patrols. My point is that no drug dealer should be able to deal drugs in peace," he said.

He said regular raids have been conducted over the past few months in ID Bagan and Guripara, areas considered drug hotspots in the metropolis.

Police from the concerned police stations, the Metropolitan Detective Branch and the Crime Response Team (CRT) are conducting regular operations in the areas, he said.

"A large number of drug dealers and users are being arrested and drugs are being recovered during the operations," Kabir said, adding that drug users are also not being spared.

He said the number of drug sellers and users has been declining due to the regular drives.

Besides, the OCs of all RMP police stations have been instructed to set up regular checkpoints and conduct anti-drug operations in their respective jurisdictions, he said.

The commissioner said information about anti-drug operations is being regularly published on the RMP's website and social media platforms, while RMP spokesperson and Deputy Police Commissioner Gaziur Rahman provides updates through press conferences.

On juvenile gangs, Kabir said members of such gangs are being arrested through traffic checkpoints set up at different intersections in the city.

"Such activities will continue to prevent various crimes, including eve-teasing," he said.

He, however, stressed the need for cooperation from city residents in making Rajshahi a safer city.

"Such steps would not have been possible without the cooperation of the city residents," he said.

Talking about future plans, the RMP commissioner said the people of Rajshahi are peace-loving and want to live without trouble.

On traffic congestion, Kabir said drives are being conducted against motorcycles operating without valid documents or riders without helmets, while rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are also being brought under the enforcement measures.

"We are also keeping an eye on whether rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are entering the city from outside," he said.

RMP officials have held several meetings with officials of Rajshahi City Corporation to coordinate drives against rickshaws and auto-rickshaws operating without documents or using identical registration numbers.

The transport department of Rajshahi City Corporation is preparing to extend cooperation in this regard, he said.