Aviation security officials foiled narcotic smuggling attempt at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (Dhaka airport) seizing 1,900 Yaba tablets (methamphetamine) hidden inside export cargo bound for overseas destinations.

On Tuesday, Security personnel discovered the orange-coloured tablets during routine scanning of a parcel prepared for shipment through Bangladesh Postal Department's export channel around 3:05pm. Tablets were strategically concealed inside packaging designed to avoid detection.

Aviation Security (AVSEC) immediately alerted Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), who arrived promptly and formally seized the contraband. Legal proceedings began under national narcotics control laws following the recovery.

AVSEC officials confirmed that surveillance and counter-smuggling intelligence operations maintain strict zero-tolerance measures against narcotics trafficking through the airport. They stressed that preventive efforts have intensified systematically to intercept not only Yaba but also gold, currency, electronics and human smuggling networks operating across South Asian aviation routes.

Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) attributed the successful detection to enhanced screening vigilance, improved machine-based scanning, cross-agency coordination and tightened manual inspection layers. Officials said the operation strengthens the airport's risk-management mechanism and reinforces international confidence in Bangladesh's aviation security capability.

CAAB noted that high-value narcotics trafficking through disguised postal shipments has been rising regionally. Traffickers increasingly exploit freight, courier and postal channels that appear less suspicious than passenger-focused systems, officials explained.

Authorities emphasised that smuggling networks are adapting tactics continuously, requiring state security to evolve correspondingly. This seizure demonstrates both sophisticated airport security frameworks and persistent determination of organised smugglers attempting to breach export logistics channels.