Cannabis Cultivation Found in Betel Leaf Garden; One Arrested in Puthia

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-5 arrested an alleged drug trader for cultivating cannabis plants in a betel leaf garden in Puthia upazila of the district early today. During the drive, the elite force recovered six cannabis plants from the garden. According to RAB-5, acting on a tip-off, an operational team of Rajshahi Sadar Company conducted a raid in Kazipara village under Puthia Police Station around 1:15 am.

During the operation, the team seized six cannabis plants, each about 12 feet tall, from a betel leaf garden. The recovered plants weighed approximately 8.5 kilograms in total. The arrested person was identified as Sahabur Molla, 35, son of Momin Molla, a resident of the same village. RAB said that during preliminary interrogation, the arrestee admitted to cultivating cannabis illegally for a long time and selling it in the local area and elsewhere.

He also confessed that the seized plants had been cultivated for commercial purposes, the RAB statement added. A case is being processed against the accused under the Narcotics Control Act with Puthia Police Station, RAB-5 said.