The detectives of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) yesterday arrested five alleged members of a gang in the city for their involvement in Yaba smuggling.

The arrestees are Mizanur Rahaman, 63; Jasim Uddin, 28; Kazi Abul Bashar, 25; Abdullah Al Mamun, 40; and Abu Taher, 38.

“Being tipped off, a team of DB police led by AAM Humayun Kabir intercepted a Comilla-bound empty truck coming from Bandarban in the city's Annanya residential area, and arrested Mizan, Jasim and Bashar,” said CMP Additional Commissioner (crime and operation) Amena Begum at a press conference at the CMP headquarters.

After conducting a search, the DB seized 63,000 Yaba pills worth Tk 1.89 crore from a secret compartment in the chassis of the truck, said Amena.

Later, based on their statements, the law enforcers arrested Mamun and Taher with Tk 10 lakh in cash from in front of Zila Parishad (district council) Bhaban under Kotwali Police Station in the city. The duo was assigned to "manage" law enforcers in case the illicit drugs are seized, said police.  

Amena said the contraband items were being shipped to Comilla's Nimsar area. “As the law enforcers do not check empty vehicles, the gang has long been using the technique to smuggle the Yaba pills to other parts of the country,” she said.

At the press conference, Deputy Commissioner (DC) (Bandar) Md Shahidullah said, “It's a big syndicate.”

Inspector Kamruzzaman of DB said, “Involving local indigenous people as informers and carriers, the gang has been smuggling Yaba pills from Bandarban's Naikkhaynchhari border. Later, they supply those to Comilla and Dhaka through the seized truck.”

Earlier, on February 17, the gang members took another consignment of 30,000 Yaba tablets to Comilla's Nimsar area, said Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) AAM Humayun Kabir, quoting the arrestees.

CRIMINAL ARRESTED WITH FIVE FIREARMS

Meanwhile, another team of DB police arrested a criminal in possession of five firearms and eight rounds of bullets from Lake City Residential area under Khulshi Police Station in the city.

Arrested, Mohammed Ripon, 36, was an associate of notorious criminal Kalu Dakat (robber) who was killed in a "gunfight" with RAB on March 12. He was accused of six cases filed with different police stations.