Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Saturday asked Myanmar for taking effective steps to uproot ‘yaba’ factories in its territories saying Bangladesh appears to be a victim of the cross-border smuggling of the deadly drug.‘Despite the fact that drug is not produced in Bangladesh the people of the country are exposed to severe damage due to cross-border smuggling of drugs from the neighbouring country,’ he told a high level meeting of interior ministers of Indian Ocean region to counter drug trafficking in Sri Lankan capital Colombo.He said the drug traffickers were smuggling ‘yaba’ to Bangladesh through the rugged frontiers of Chittagong region, close to Myanmar.The minister, however, told the conference that Bangladesh adopted ‘zero tolerance policy’ against drug smuggling and abuse.‘Our government is committed to control narcotic drugs in line with the United Nations Convention and the conventions of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) ,’ he said.He urged all member states of the Indian Ocean region to counter drug trafficking and its abuse by taking coordinated efforts, according to a news agency.Yaba, which in Thai language means ‘crazy medicine’ is also called as horse drug, which were administered to horses when pulling carts up steep hills and for other strenuous work while experts said it was made of methamphetamine and caffeine.In recent years Bangladesh became a destination of Yaba, mainly smuggled from Myanmar, as it became popular drug among young people but doctors said in the long-term it causes decline of cognitive functions.Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police identified Bangladesh’s southeastern Teknaf borders with Myanmar was the main route for yaba smuggling.Tensions in recent years sparked repeatedly visibly over the yaba smuggling on Bangladesh-Myanmar borders in recent past when paramilitary border forces of the two countries mobilized extra troops on the frontiers.BGB officials said the smugglers now prefer sea routes in view of intensified vigil on the Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier.With the assistance of the United Nations Office for Narcotics and Crime, Colombo hosts the conference with participation of home ministers of Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Iran, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seashells and Tanzania.Officials familiar with the event said additionally, internal security and drug control agencies of Pakistan, Qatar and Mauritius are also taking part in the conference.Khan leads the Bangladesh delegation comprising directors general of BGB Major General Aziz Ahmed, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Abu Muzaffar Mohiuddin Mohammad Aurangzeb Chowdhury and Narcotics Control Khandker Rakibur Rahman.