A total of 1,080 people were detained or arrested in a 24-hour special operation by Chattogram Range Police targeting juvenile gangs, extortion, robbery, violent crime and drug-related offences.
The operation was conducted from Saturday, 3 October, to Sunday morning, 4 October, across several districts under the Chattogram Range.
Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Quddus Chowdhury said 114 people were formally arrested during the operation. Of them, 69 were arrested in drug-related cases, while another 45 were arrested in regular and other cases, including those involving alleged drug-related offences.
Police records show that 86 people were arrested in regular cases and 83 in previously filed cases. Another 44 were arrested under Section 34 of the Police Act, while four were detained under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. In addition, 49 people were arrested under Section 151 and other relevant laws.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of 96 people on warrants and 18 on warrants related to sentences. Including these arrests, police recorded a total of 1,080 arrests or detentions during the 24-hour period.
The anti-drug drive led to further legal action. Mobile courts sentenced 33 people to imprisonment, while fines totalling Tk6,900 were collected. Police also filed 36 cases under the Narcotics Control Act.
A significant quantity of suspected narcotics was recovered during the operation. The seized items included 11,301 yaba tablets, 16kg 937g of cannabis, 82 litres 400 millilitres of locally produced liquor, 250 millilitres of foreign liquor, five bottles of cough syrup and 10 tapentadol tablets.
Police also arrested 23 members of the Awami League during the operation. Three were arrested in Chattogram, one in Cox’s Bazar, seven in Cumilla, 10 in Noakhali, one in Rangamati and one in Khagrachhari.
A major focus of the operation was the prevention of juvenile gang activity. Police detained 723 people in the campaign against such groups. Of them, 631 were released into custody after providing undertakings, while legal action was taken against the remaining 92.
District-wise figures show that 253 people were detained in Chattogram, 36 in Cox’s Bazar, 17 in Brahmanbaria, 119 in Chandpur, 170 in Noakhali, 29 in Feni, 47 in Lakshmipur, nine in Rangamati and 43 in Khagrachhari.
The figures reflect the broad scope of the operation, which combined action against juvenile gangs with measures targeting drugs, robbery, extortion, warrants and other criminal offences across the police range.
Police said the special operation would continue in the public interest, with enforcement efforts aimed at maintaining law and order and curbing criminal activities across the region.
