Police move to prevent new gangs from filling void left by jailed criminals: DMP

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) are working to prevent new criminal groups from taking control of areas vacated after drug dealers and extortionists are sent to jail, said Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami, deputy commissioner of the DMP's Wari Division.

"Those who are going to jail in connection with drug dealing and extortion – we are trying to ensure that no one can fill the vacuum," he told a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road around 2pm today (9 September).

He was speaking after police arrested five people, including the alleged mastermind, over the killing of a suspected drug dealer in Jatrabari.

According to police, Imran Hossain was shot dead in Jatrabari's Dhalpur area on 6 September amid a dispute over control of the local drug trade and territorial dominance.

The suspects are Riaz-ul Islam alias Riaz alias Kalia Riaz, Kamrul Hasan, Mohammad Saiful Hossain, Jamil Mia alias Dolon and Mithu alias Dobar Mithu.

Police said they recovered a pistol, two magazines, five live rounds of ammunition, six cocktails, three Chinese axes, two machetes, two switchgear knives and a Yamaha motorcycle from the suspects.

According to DC Sami, around 10:30pm on 6 September, a group of assailants wearing helmets and masks arrived on three motorcycles and opened fire at Imran and Saddam, who were sitting at Sharif's garage in Badal Sardar Goli in Dhalpur.

The attackers also assaulted the two men with sharp weapons. Imran died at the scene, police said.

His wife later filed a case with Jatrabari Police Station.

Police arrested alleged mastermind Riaz-ul Islam from the Par Gendaria area under South Keraniganj Police Station on 8 September.

A pistol, two magazines, five live rounds and a Yamaha motorcycle were recovered from him, according to police.

The DC said investigators believe the pistol was used in the attack. Based on information provided by Riaz, police later recovered a Chinese axe from underneath his bed.

Police on 8 September arrested Kamrul Hasan and Mohammad Saiful Hossain during an operation in the Pathangair area under Demra Police Station.

Mithu alias Dobar Mithu was also arrested that day with 70 yaba tablets, while Jamil Mia alias Dolon was arrested by Jatrabari police today (9 September) over his alleged involvement in the killing.

Separate cases were filed under the Arms Act at South Keraniganj Police Station over the recovered weapons and at Demra Police Station over the cocktails and other evidence.

Police also filed a Narcotics Control Act case against Mithu with Jatrabari Police Station.

Four cases have so far been filed in connection with the incident, police said.

Riaz has several previous cases involving arms and explosives, while Kamrul has cases related to theft, robbery and preparation for robbery, according to police.

Police operations are continuing to arrest other suspects allegedly involved in the killing, DC Sami said.