4 members of Ctg Port cargo theft syndicate arrested, 51 stolen fabric rolls recovered

The Detective Branch (West Division) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) last night (15 June) arrested four active members of a cargo theft syndicate operating around Chattogram Port.

The police also recovered 51 rolls of stolen fabric worth an estimated Tk7,65,000, confirmed CMP's media wing in a press release this morning (16 June).  

According to the release, the incident originated on 6 June, when a covered van (Reg No Chattogram Metro-T 11-7281) loaded with 220 rolls of fabric was parked at Bashir Mistry's garage, located near the CSD warehouse rail line in Boropool under Halishahar police station. The vehicle was left unattended as the driver went home to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha.

Upon returning to the garage on 8 June around 4:30pm, the driver found the rear lock of the vehicle open and informed the cargo owners. After counting the inventory, it was confirmed that 51 rolls of fabric were missing.

Following the report, a special team from the CMP's Detective Branch (West) launched an investigation based on confidential intelligence.

On the night of 15 June, operations were carried out in the Halishahar and Bandar police station areas, leading to the arrest of Md Akbar Ali, 26, Md Shahidul Islam Jibon, 27, Md Abdul Karim Hridoy, 27 and Md Hasan, 26.

Based on their confessions during preliminary interrogation, police raided a warehouse on the third floor of Haji Dudu Mia Market, adjacent to Haji Plaza in the Teri Bazar area under Kotwali police station and recovered all 51 stolen fabric rolls.

Initial questioning revealed that the arrested individuals were part of a long-running, organised theft ring targeting goods transported from Chattogram Port. The group allegedly stole imported cargo during transit and sold it to unscrupulous traders.

Legal action is currently underway in connection with the incident.