For the first time in the country, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has seized a shipment of a new type of drug, MDMB. The drug was being secretly distributed through vapes and e-cigarettes.

Four members of the trafficking network, including the main suppliers, have been arrested. The arrested individuals are Khondakar Towkirul Kabir Tamim (26), a fourth-year student at a private university, Mehedi Hasan Rakib (26), Masum Masfikur Rahman alias Sahos, a sales and marketing officer at a private company, and Ashraful Islam, who recently returned from studying in India and started a business in Bangladesh.

Authorities recovered 340 milliliters of MDMB, cannabis-infused chocolate, vape devices, e-liquids, and empty canisters prepared for MDMB sales from them.

A press briefing was held at the DNC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on Friday morning to provide detailed information. DNC Director General Hasan Maruf stated that the use of e-cigarettes and vapes among the youth has increased at an alarming rate globally. Recently, MDMB, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), has increasingly been found in these products. In response, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) initiated a global intelligence-gathering operation. As part of this initiative, the DNC in Bangladesh intensified surveillance to prevent the spread of MDMB, uncovering a worrying picture of the drug’s distribution.

Monitoring via Online-Dark Web Channels

Under the supervision of DNC Additional Director (Intelligence) Mohammad Badruddin, Dhaka intelligence teams began monitoring offline and online marketplaces, social media, and the dark web. During this operation, MDMB was discovered being secretly sold through vapes. Tamim was identified as a retail distributor, and a sample order was placed with him. On December 10, during the delivery of 20 milliliters of MDMB, Tamim was arrested in Pallabi by a coordinated team led by Mehedi Hasan, Deputy Director of Dhaka Intelligence, along with Dhaka Metro North and South units.

Following extensive questioning and digital footprint analysis, the team traced Mehedi Hasan Rakib. Rakib was later arrested in Mirpur with 10 milliliters of MDMB.

MDMB Smuggled from Malaysia

Rakib’s confession and device analysis revealed an internal MDMB supply network in the country and identified two main suppliers: Ashraful and Sahos. During a coordinated operation, both were arrested, and a search of their homes recovered 310 milliliters of MDMB-Pinaka (in five containers), CBD-infused cannabis chocolate, five vape devices used for MDMB consumption, e-liquids, and empty canisters.

During interrogation, Ashraful, a permanent resident of Mirpur Senpara, admitted that he had long been supplying such drugs to the country’s elite. Targeting e-cigarette and vape users, he, along with his associate Sahos, had been attempting to build an MDMB market. Ashraful frequently traveled to Malaysia to procure the drug for distribution in Bangladesh.

Dangers of MDMB

Even a few drops of MDMB can disrupt the human nervous system. Using popular vape devices as a cover, the drug quickly induces addiction, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, and severe physical risks, including abnormal heart rhythms. Its similarity to regular flavored e-liquids makes detection nearly impossible. Users are often unaware they are consuming a highly potent, lethal drug, which has raised international concerns as a next-generation synthetic substance. Even 1–2 drops of MDMB mixed with regular nicotine e-liquids can deliver a strong effect.

Distribution Tactics

The ring cleverly used WhatsApp and Facebook as “invisible markets.” Through closed groups, review pages, and fake accounts, they posted coded messages disguised as general products like flavors, gaming tools, or “portable devices.” Interested buyers were moved to WhatsApp chats where codewords were used to finalize prices. Delivery was confirmed using location sharing, live tracking, and specific emojis, making the secret MDMB digital distribution network almost undetectable to ordinary users.