Drug Convict Jewel Serving Life Sentence; Tk 140 Million Transacted Through Couple’s 24 Bank Accounts

PNN News Desk | Chapainawabganj

The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has uncovered transactions totaling more than Tk 142.4 million through 24 bank accounts held in the names of Jewel Rana, a notorious drug trafficker in Chapainawabganj, and his wife, Salma Jahan, over the past several years. Investigators have also found information about substantial landholdings and houses registered in their names. The investigating officer has filed an application with the court seeking permission to seize the bank accounts and properties.

Jewel Rana, 34, is currently in prison after being sentenced to life imprisonment in a drug case. A money laundering case has also been filed against him over allegations of laundering proceeds from drug trafficking. The case is being investigated by Md. Mehedi Hasan, deputy director of the Rajshahi office of the Department of Narcotics Control. According to sources involved in the investigation, the assets held by Jewel and his wife are suspected of being linked to proceeds from drug trafficking.

The investigating officer said that if the court approves the application to seize the assets, the legal process for freezing the relevant bank accounts and seizing the properties can proceed. He also said a charge sheet would be submitted to the court against Jewel Rana and his wife after the investigation is completed.

According to the case statement and preliminary investigation findings, investigators have identified 12 bank accounts in Jewel Rana’s name at different branches of various banks across the country. These include four current accounts, three mobile banking accounts and five savings accounts. A total of Tk 61,803,317 was transacted through these accounts over the past nine years.

The DNC has also identified six plots of land and two houses belonging to Jewel. The registered deed value of these properties has been declared at Tk 10.3 million. However, officials involved in the investigation believe that their current market value could amount to several crores of taka.

In addition, sources familiar with the investigation claim that information has emerged about a petrol pump in Godagari, Rajshahi, and two more houses in Dhaka. The ownership of these properties and the sources of funds used to acquire them are also being examined as part of the investigation.

Investigators have also identified 12 bank accounts in the name of Jewel’s wife, Salma Jahan, 30, at various banks across the country. A total of Tk 68,612,970 was transacted through these accounts over the past eight years.

Five plots of land registered in Salma’s name have also been identified, with a combined deed value of Tk 2.206 million. The case statement alleges that money earned through her husband’s drug trafficking business was deposited and transferred through these bank accounts and used to purchase land. It further alleges that Jewel used bank accounts in his wife’s name to conduct financial transactions related to his own drug business.

According to investigators, although Jewel has a tax file registered in his name, the preliminary investigation has not identified any legitimate source of income that would reasonably account for the substantial financial transactions and assets associated with him. Investigators are examining the sources of the money and the process through which the properties were acquired.

According to the case statement, Jewel Rana is the son of Amir Hossain and a resident of Fatapara Malbagdanga village in Charbagdanga Union, a border area of Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila. He was elected a member of Ward No. 3 in the Union Parishad elections held on January 5, 2022. His family currently lives in the Bele pukur area of Chapainawabganj Municipality.

Sources involved in the investigation allege that Jewel became involved in heroin smuggling during his teenage years. Initially, he reportedly transported drugs from the border areas in exchange for money. Later, he allegedly established his own trafficking operation. He is accused of operating a network that brought heroin from India through border routes and supplied it wholesale to different parts of Bangladesh.

According to the case statement, information is available on nine drug-related cases filed against Jewel at different police stations across the country. Of these, five were filed at Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station, two at Mirpur and Paltan police stations in Dhaka, and two at Natore Sadar Police Station.

According to case records, on October 14, 2023, a team from the Department of Narcotics Control arrested Jewel from houses in the Bele pukur and Balubagan areas, recovering 950 grams of heroin and yaba tablets. He was granted bail by the court just 28 days after his arrest.

At the time, his release from prison attracted public attention after he was reportedly welcomed with flower garlands and returned to his locality in a procession of motorcycles. On November 14, 2023, the daily Jugantor published a report on the incident under the headline, “Celebration with Bombs After Getting Bail in 28 Days.”

Some local residents have alleged that Jewel’s drug trafficking network has not been completely shut down despite his imprisonment and that family members are continuing to operate it. However, these allegations could not be independently verified.

On October 12, 2025, the Additional District and Sessions Judge’s Court in Chapainawabganj sentenced Jewel Rana to rigorous imprisonment for life in a drug case. Sources familiar with the matter said he remained absconding after the sentence was announced.

According to the case statement and information from investigators, Jewel allegedly performed Umrah in Saudi Arabia in March this year and travelled to several other countries in the Middle East. He was subsequently arrested by Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station on September 22 from the Laxmipur area of Rajshahi.

Sources involved in the investigation said Jewel is currently trying to obtain bail from the High Court. He has also been accused of planning to spend a substantial amount of money and seek political intervention to secure bail. However, comments from the relevant parties regarding these allegations were not available.

The investigation is ongoing to establish the truth of the allegations that assets were acquired using proceeds from drug trafficking and that the sources of the money were concealed. Investigators are reviewing bank account and property records and analysing financial transaction information involving the individuals concerned. The investigating officer said a charge sheet would be submitted to the court after the investigation is completed.