Joint forces arrest 117 people in raids in Tongi; seize Tk22.5 lakh in cash, drugs and local weapons

TBS report

November 4, 2024, 1:55 PM

Last modified: November 4, 2024, 2:05 PM

117 arrested from Tongi, Dhaka, for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and prostitution during two separate raids on November 4, 2024. Photo: Courtesy

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117 arrested from Tongi, Dhaka, for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and prostitution during two separate raids on November 4, 2024. Photo: Courtesy

Joint forces today (November 4) arrested 117 men and women in two separate raids at Tongi in Gazipur for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and prostitution.

The raids took place at 3:30 am and 7:00 am at Keranirtek slum and a residential hotel in Amtoli by the joint forces comprising members of the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police .

Sources involved in the raids said that during the Keranirtek raid, three bhoris of gold, 10 kg of marijuana, 2,500 pieces of yaba, 20 bottles of local liquor, 10 bottles of Phensedyl, locally made weapons and Tk22.5 lakh in cash were seized. slum. During this time, 40 individuals involved in drug trafficking were arrested. In a separate raid on the residential hotel ‘Javan’ in Tongi’s Amtoli, foreign liquor and 77 men and women were arrested.

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“The raid on Keranirtek slum was carried out based on a tip-off. The raid involved around 550 members of the army, RAB, BGB and police,” said Lt. Col. Mahbub, camp commander of the Ashkona Army.

Drugs and alcohol seized during raids in Tongi, Dhaka, on November 4, 2024. Photo: Collected

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Drugs and alcohol seized during raids in Tongi, Dhaka, on November 4, 2024. Photo: Collected

He said the arrested persons were handed over to Tongi East Police Station of Gazipur Metropolitan Police around 9 am this morning.

“They will be shown as arrested and sent to court after filing charges,” Mahbub added.

The residential hotel “Javan” has long been considered a place where anti-social activities and drug-related crimes are facilitated, under the patronage of an Awami League leader living abroad. Despite these activities, no one dared to speak out.

The raid on the residential hotel was led by Lieutenant Colonel Md Tahsin, commander of the North Dhaka Uttara Diabari Army Camp.

“The raid was conducted on allegations of anti-social activities and drug-related offences, and approximately 3,500 cans of beer and 598 bottles of foreign liquor were seized. During the raid, 77 men and women were involved in prostitution and persons responsible for the management of the hotel were arrested,” he said.

“Legal action will be taken against them,” Tahsin said.