Over 2,800 arrested in month-long crackdown across Dhaka: DMP

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 2,844 people in special drives across the capital over the past month, including 658 extortionists, 971 muggers, terrorists and robbers, and 1,215 drug dealers, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said today. Speaking at a press briefing at DMP headquarters, he said police seized 744kg of cannabis, 179,000 yaba pills, 405 grams of heroin, 1,281 bottles of phensedyl, 29 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ice), six pistols, 21 rounds of ammunition, four magazines, 11 crude bombs and 12 locally made weapons during the drives. Nine people, including six Chinese nationals, were also arrested for their alleged involvement in online gambling, cyber fraud and illegal digital financial transactions, he said. On Eid-ul-Azha security, the commissioner said there had been no major acts of sabotage or serious criminal incidents in Dhaka during the holiday period.

The DMP's traffic division filed 38,284 cases in May for violations of the Road Transport Act, including 672 through an AI-based enforcement system, realising Tk 8.71 crore in fines. Mosleh Uddin said 70 AI cameras are currently operating at 57 locations across Dhaka and that the network will be expanded. Providing updates on major cases, he said police arrested the accused in the Ramisa rape and murder case in Pallabi within seven hours and submitted the charge sheet six days after the case was filed. The verdict is scheduled for Sunday.

He said investigators found no evidence implicating anyone beyond those named in the charge sheet. The commissioner also said four people, including the main accused, Taslima Akter alias Hasna, were arrested over the murder and dismemberment of Saudi expatriate Mokarram Hossain in Pallabi.

Police also arrested three suspects in the gang rape and murder of a mentally challenged woman in Jatrabari, four suspects in a gang robbery case in Demra, three members of a counterfeit currency syndicate, and nine members of a kidnapping gang in Adabor. Responding to concerns over rising mugging incidents, Mosleh Uddin said police had intensified operations in Mohammadpur, Uttara and Jatrabari, recently arresting juvenile gang leader Akash and his associates in Mohammadpur. He also said a list of extortionists would be made public and warned that strict action would be taken against police personnel found harassing service seekers.