Department of Narcotics Control
Department of Narcotics Control (Bengali: মাদকদ্রব্য নিয়ন্ত্রণ অধিদপ্তর, romanized: Mādakadrabya niẏantraṇa adhidaptara) is the main government agency responsible for narcotics control in Bangladesh.[1] HistoryThe Department of Narcotics Control was established on 2 January 1990 under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is related to National Narcotics Control Board.[2][3] The agency is responsible for issuing licenses for the import, exports, sales, transport, etc. for drugs in Bangladesh.[4] It also carries out raids against illegal narcotics.[5] The department has its own intelligence branch.[6] Prior to its establishment, drugs including but not limited to codeine-laced cough syrup, some alcoholic health tonics, tablets, and syrups were banned from being marketed and produced in 1982, then in 1984 opium (which has a long history in both Bangladesh and its neighbor India) was banned, in 1987 the cultivation of cannabis was stopped and finally in 1989 all cannabis shops were closed.[7] On September 9, 1991 the department was placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs.[7] Mustakim Billah Farooki is the Director-General of the Department of Narcotics Control.[8] References
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