Dhaka, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies have uncovered multiple alleged organised crime networks involving Chinese nationals, with investigations linking suspects to international drug trafficking, online fraud, illegal Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) operations, gambling and the trafficking of Bangladeshi women, local media reported on Monday.
Investigators have found that some of the Chinese nationals allegedly operated with local accomplices and used short-term tourist visas to enter and leave Bangladesh. Their activities have reportedly been traced to areas including Uttara, Bashundhara and Nikunja in Dhaka.
One major case emerged in March when the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) seized 50 grams of ketamine concealed inside a Bluetooth speaker at a courier office in Dhaka, The Dhaka Tribune reported.
The subsequent investigation led officers to a flat in Uttara, where three Chinese nationals — Li Bin, Yang Chunhing and Yo Zhi — were arrested. Authorities said they recovered 6.3 kg of ketamine, chemicals, laboratory and packaging equipment, digital weighing scales, mobile phones and foreign currencies from what investigators described as a makeshift laboratory.
DNC Deputy Director Mehedi Hasan said the suspects allegedly collected liquid ketamine, processed it into powder at the flat and attempted to smuggle it abroad through courier services.
Investigators further alleged that the group received orders through the dark web, concealed drugs inside electronic devices for international shipments and used cryptocurrency, particularly the TRON network, for payments.
In a separate operation earlier this month, Detective Branch police arrested three Chinese nationals and a Bangladeshi woman in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area. The operation allegedly exposed a network involved in online fraud, illegal VoIP operations and gambling.
Authorities reportedly seized more than 6,000 active SIM cards, 20 GSM gateways, 14 laptops and 16 smartphones. Investigators said victims were initially contacted with offers of employment, attractive deals or opportunities to earn additional money before being directed to fraudulent links.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam said several cases involving Chinese nationals had emerged, including online fraud, and indicated that investigators were examining the alleged involvement of local accomplices and other aspects of the networks.
The investigations have raised questions over whether the cases involve separate criminal groups or wider transnational networks using Bangladesh as an operational base for drug trafficking, cybercrime and human trafficking.
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