Explained: ‘Bhul Bhulaiya’- What is illegal YABA tablets and how it’s gripping Assam and NE region

Investigation has revealed that Yaba pills worth around Tk 30 crore enter Bangladesh monthly from across the borders of India and Myanmar

Editorial
December 9, 2021
2:44 pm

Guwahati: Yaba (meaning ‘crazy pills’ in Thai), allegedly the most popular methamphetamine based drug abused in Bangladesh, has been making its way to the region as well as the city.

In the recent crackdowns by the state police on illegal drug rackets in the state have also seized thousands of Yaba tablets that have managed to enter the city as well as other parts of the state.

The anti-narcotics agencies in the region have reasons to believe that the drug which usually finds its route to Bangladesh from Myanmar through the NE region, has now being pumped back to the region due to the ongoing crackdown in Bangladesh.

#AssamAgainstDrugs

In yet another crackdown on an inter-state drugs gang, @assampolice has nabbed 4 persons carrying a consignment of 50K Yaba Tablets, Rs 19 Lakh cash, hidden in 2 Bolero vehicles.

The trap was laid at Dudhnoi in Goalpara today. Well done 👍 @DGPAssamPolice pic.twitter.com/M96DL84Eya
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 20, 2021

In 2018, Bangladesh government had announced the launch of an aggressive war on drugs to smash the surging trade of Yaba, a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine that comes in different flavours and colours. Over 100 drug cartel members were killed since then in Bangladesh.

“The Yaba consignments that could not make their way ahead to Bangladesh were now being out in the clandestine markets in the state. Due to the crackdown in Bangladesh, several cartels have also pumped their stocks back to the region making it worse,” said sources.

Already alerted over a possible spillover of these narcotics into the region, forces guarding the borders of the region have been busy seizing several consignments of the methamphetamine pills. Last month, BSF confiscated 25 packets of banned ‘Yaba tablet’ worth over Rs 12 crore.

Investigation has revealed that Yaba pills worth around Tk 30 crore enter Bangladesh monthly from across the borders of India and Myanmar.

Research revealed that the immediate effects of taking yaba are similar to those of any stimulant. Consuming it, the users were believed to be realized a sense of euphoria considered to be the pleasurable or desirable. However, vital human organs get affected due to its regular use.

“Because of its affects, Yaba is sometimes called –‘Bhul bhulaiya’ in India and gaining popularity which is a major concern,” sources stated. Small in size Yaba pills were found to be smuggled concealing inside plastic soda straws too.