Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Bangladesh + 1 more

Stateless Rohingya refugees sucked into booming Bangladesh drug trade

Many Rohingya say their young people are being pushed into crime because they cannot legally work or, in many cases, access aid

  • Methamphetamine use has risen sharply in Bangladesh

  • "Ya ba" pills smuggled from labs in lawless northeastern Myanmar

  • Bangladesh authorities say many drug mules are Rohingya refugees

  • Rohingya complain many cannot work or access aid in Bangladesh

  • Boom in ya ba use fuelling resentment against refugees

By Krishna N. Das

LEDA, Bangladesh, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Rohingya Muslim refugee Ali Hasan is desperately looking for a bride for his 14-year-old son, jailed last year in Bangladesh for carrying the popular drug ya ba. He hopes the girl's family would pay the $620 needed for Mohammed Hasan's bail as dowry.

Read the full report on Thomson Reuters Foundation.