Looted money found buried underground in Bandarban

In connection with the recent robbery at the office of Abul Khair Tobacco Company in Lama of Bandarban, police have recovered some of the looted money — buried underground.

As of Saturday (May 17), law enforcement recovered a total of Tk2,117,200 during multiple operations.

According to law enforcement and related sources, in the early hours of May 9, an armed gang of 15–20 robbers, carrying traditional weapons, attacked the tobacco purchasing office of Abul Khair Tobacco Company in Linejhiri area of Lama Upazila. The robbers took the office staff hostage and looted Tk 172,756,38. However, they failed to take another Tk38 million that was locked in a heavy steel vault.

Following the incident, a case was filed at Lama Police Station on May 10, and during the investigation, police arrested eight suspects — including three women — from various areas of Lama and neighboring Chakaria in Cox’s Bazar.

The arrested individuals are: Maruful alias Arif, 33, from East Vewla in Chakaria, Naeemul Islam alias Sagar, 31, from Lakhyachari, Abdur Rahim, 36, and Md. Sujan, 25, from Ward No. 6 of Lama Municipality, Anwara Begum, 45, from Bilchhari, Karim’s wife and sister, and another male suspect.

Based on information provided during interrogation, police recovered parts of the looted money buried underground.

Lama Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tofazzal Hossain said that, after arresting Karim’s wife on Saturday and interrogating her, police conducted raids at two locations based on her information and recovered Tk1.8 million buried underground. Earlier, police recovered Tk 50,200 from Abdur Rahim, and, based on his information, found Tk 267,000 on the night of May 15 from a hilly plot owned by Waser Ali.

Investigating Officer Enamul Haque said that Md. Karim is suspected to be a key mastermind of the robbery and an active member of an inter-district robbery gang from South Chattogram.

Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining culprits and recover the rest of the looted money.