527 arrested in DMP drive across Dhaka

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 527 people in a 24-hour drive across the capital, filing 55 cases and recovering drugs, explosive-making materials, sharp weapons and other items, police said Sunday (September 20).

DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Niaz Mehedi said the arrests were made by different police units during the operation.

The Mirpur division recorded the highest number of arrests at 146, followed by Tejgaon with 79, Motijheel 63, Wari 57, Ramna 52, Uttara 45, Lalbagh 43 and Gulshan 41. One person was also arrested by the Detective Branch.

Police recovered an unexploded cocktail, 500 grams of gunpowder, 250 grams of petrol, nails and metal pieces reportedly linked to exploded cocktails, along with other materials used to assemble improvised explosives.

The drive also yielded 54.245kg of cannabis, 4,115 yaba tablets, 21 grams of heroin and 50 bottles of phensedyl. Police additionally seized a private car, knives, a machete, a cutter, mobile phones and other items.

Two yaba-making machines, 2.6kg of various chemicals, 454 grams of Benelia powder, 13 bottles of paint, 350 empty bottles and 1.5kg of mixed yaba-making materials were also recovered. Two victims were rescued during the operation, police said.

DMP said the arrests and seizures were made as part of its regular operations across the capital.