GMP reports 3,200 arrests, seizes large haul of arms and drugs in six months
Gazipur Metropolitan Police says intensified anti-crime drives led to thousands of arrests, major drug seizures and action against sabotage suspects during the first half of 2026.
Highlights:
- GMP arrested 3,217 suspects in special drives during January-June.
- Police seized firearms, ammunition and large quantities of narcotics.
- Seven cases filed over banned Chhatra League, Awami League processions.
- Crackdowns on drug networks and juvenile gangs to continue, says commissioner.
The Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) arrested 3,217 suspects and recovered a large cache of illegal arms and narcotics during special drives conducted between January and June this year, officials said today (7 July).
The figures were disclosed by GMP Commissioner Israil Howlader at a press briefing on the force's six-month crime statistics and the overall law and order situation in Gazipur.
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According to GMP, a total of 1,454 cases were filed across the metropolitan area during the period, including 20 murder cases, seven robbery cases and 28 mugging cases. Police also registered 176 cases under laws relating to violence against women and children.
During various operations, police arrested 46 alleged muggers, 23 suspected robbers and 354 people allegedly caught while preparing to commit robbery.
As part of its anti-drug operations, GMP seized 51,560 yaba pills, 357kg of cannabis, 1.965kg of heroin, 530 pethidine injections and 46 litres of locally produced alcohol. Police filed 812 narcotics cases and 60 arms cases during the six-month period.
The force further said they recovered 10 illegal firearms, 20 rounds of ammunition, four magazines and a number of locally made weapons.
Police said they had taken a hard line against flash processions and acts of sabotage allegedly carried out by the banned Chhatra League and the Awami League, whose political activities have been banned. Following incidents on 21 June and 3 July, police filed seven cases, arrested 15 people and are working to identify more than 100 others allegedly involved.
GMP also said it arrested 18 people in operations targeting groups attempting to establish control over the fabric scraps-based clothing business, locally known as the "jhut" trade, in the Tongi East Police Station area.
Commissioner Howlader said GMP would continue its zero-tolerance policy against drugs and juvenile gangs, warning that no offender, regardless of influence, would be spared.
He said police were conducting regular combing operations in high-risk areas, including Mazar Basti, Keranir Tek and Ershad Nagar, while investigations had also begun into the illegal assets of leading drug traffickers.
He added that police were finalising an updated database of juvenile gang members as part of efforts to eliminate gang-related crime in the metropolitan area.
The commissioner also said the use of modern technology had significantly reduced incidents of kidnapping and honey trap crimes. Of the 20 unidentified bodies recovered in the past six months, police were able to identify 19 using technological tools, helping accelerate investigations.
Senior GMP officials, including Additional Commissioners Mohammad Taherul Haque Chouhan (Administration and Finance) and Md Belayet Hossain (Crime), deputy commissioners and journalists from print and electronic media attended the briefing.
Concluding the briefing, the commissioner said GMP would continue to work with professionalism and dedication to ensure public safety and sought the cooperation of residents in maintaining law and order across Gazipur.
