Police Involvement in Smuggling of Looted Thana Weapons

Chattogram Correspondent

In Chattogram, Constable Md. Riyad and five others have been arrested as the masterminds behind the smuggling of weapons looted from police custody. After a long period of intelligence operations and surveillance, raids were conducted in the Patenga and Bakalia areas of the city, leading to their capture. A foreign-made pistol and seven bullets, reportedly looted from police armories, were seized during the operation, as confirmed by preliminary investigations.

On August 5 last year, the day the Awami League government fell, agitated crowds attacked several police stations in Chattogram and looted a large number of weapons and ammunition. During this time, 813 firearms and 44,324 bullets were stolen from eight police stations and eight outposts in the city. Investigations revealed that a portion of these looted weapons ended up in the hands of illegal traders and were used in various crimes.

Constable Md. Riyad, who worked in Chandpur district police and hails from Satkania upazila in Chattogram, has been identified as a key figure in the illegal arms trade. He allegedly planned to sell weapons looted from Lohagara Police Station. His accomplices include Abdul Gani, Abu Bakkar, Farhad Hossain, Mostafizur Rahman, and Md. Ishak.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), Mofiz Uddin, stated that Riyad, Abu Bakkar, and Mostafizur have confessed in court. The remaining two suspects have been granted a three-day remand.

On March 3, Jamaat activists Nezam Uddin and Abu Saleq were killed in a mob beating in Eochia Union of Satkania upazila on suspicion of being robbers. A pistol found near Nezam’s body was later confirmed to be one of the looted weapons sold by Riyad.

Following this incident, Sub-Inspector Nazmul Hasan of Satkania Police Station filed a case on March 6, naming six individuals as accused: Alamgir (20), Farhad (40), Faruk alias Kala Faruk, Saifuddin alias Sabu, Harun (a CNG driver), and 14-15 unidentified individuals.

During interrogation, Riyad revealed that he had sold a portion of the looted weapons from Lohagara Police Station for Tk 5 lakh. Based on his information, another weapon was recovered during a raid in the Kathgar area of Patenga.

On the night of March 20, Inspector (Investigation) Aftab Hossain of Kotwali Police Station filed a case at Patenga Police Station regarding the recovery of the weapons and ammunition. The six arrested individuals were presented in court on March 21, where Riyad, Abu Bakkar, and Mostafizur confessed, while Ishak did not. Abdul Gani and Farhad were granted a three-day remand.

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police stated that investigations are ongoing to determine if others are involved in this network. A case has been filed under the Arms Act, and efforts are being made to ensure the punishment of the guilty.

Experts warn that if the looted weapons are not recovered and remain in the hands of criminals, the country’s security could be at risk. Therefore, law enforcement agencies must act swiftly to recover the weapons and ensure the criminals are punished.