The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has seized 65.9 kg of shisha, claiming it to be the largest single seizure of the item in the country's history, and arrested three alleged members of an organised online supply network in Dhaka.
The arrestees are Ahmed Sharifi, 34, his brother Mehdad Sharifi, 34, and Md Maksud Alam, 40.
According to the DNC, its Dhaka Divisional Intelligence Office launched the operation after receiving information that the group had been selling shisha and related accessories through a Facebook page and delivering consignments across the country using courier services.
As part of the operation, officers first seized two 1-kg consignments of shisha from courier parcels in Bashundhara and Malibagh on Thursday.
Using information gathered during the investigation, the DNC raided a flat in Kalachandpur under Gulshan Police Station and arrested the two brothers. A search of the flat led to the recovery of 45.9 kg of shisha and 20 hookahs.
Based on information obtained from the suspects, the DNC later raided another flat in the Nurerchala area under Vatara Police Station and arrested Maksud Alam.
Officials recovered a further 18 kg of shisha and 21 hookahs from the premises.
In the coordinated operation at four locations, the DNC seized a total of 65.9 kg of shisha, 41 hookahs, 40 kg of charcoal used for smoking shisha and five mobile phones.
The DNC said this was the largest quantity of shisha seized in a single operation in Bangladesh and described it as a significant success in its anti-drug campaign.
Officials claimed that the suspects had also been involved in other unlawful online activities, and investigations are underway to identify others linked to the network.