A legal notice has been served on the authorities, including the inspector general of police (IGP) and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner, seeking immediate action to shut down unlicensed shisha lounges and alleged drug dens operating in upscale areas of the capital. According to the reports, tobacco shisha is used alongside various illegal drugs at these venues, and other unlawful activities are also carried out. According to the notice, more than a hundred shisha lounges are allegedly operating in Dhaka, with at least 50 of them having become popular hangouts for young people. Some reports claim that drugs such as yaba, marijuana, phensedyl and liquid cocaine are mixed with shisha at certain venues. The legal notice urges the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to close all unlicensed shisha lounges and prevent the continuation of illegal activities in the name of such establishments.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 08, 2026 06:41 UTC