Joint forces have detained 344 people during coordinated raids in four areas of Dhaka as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking, extortion, violent crime and the activities of juvenile gangs.
The four-hour operation began at 9pm on Tuesday, 13 October, in Mohammadpur, Pallabi, Adabor and Gandaria. During the raids, law enforcement personnel recovered a foreign-made pistol, a single-shot gun, several locally made weapons, ammunition and a large quantity of drugs.
The operation was conducted to strengthen law and order and curb criminal activities in areas considered vulnerable to such offences. Officers searched different locations across the four police station areas, focusing on suspected criminal activity and the recovery of illegal weapons and narcotics.
Hundreds of personnel from several law enforcement units took part in the operation, including the police, Detective Branch (DB), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), SRB, Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and a dog squad. The coordinated teams carried out searches at various locations as part of the wider crackdown.
According to police figures, Pallabi recorded the highest number of detentions, with 202 people held. Another 59 were detained in Mohammadpur, 45 in Adabor and 38 in Gandaria, bringing the total to 344.
The authorities have not released a detailed inventory of the weapons, ammunition and drugs seized during the operation. Police said, however, that recovering illegal weapons and narcotics and identifying people suspected of involvement in criminal activities were among the main objectives.
Police Vow to Crack Down on Juvenile Gangs
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said the authorities would take firm action to stop the activities of juvenile gangs in Mohammadpur and Pallabi. He expressed his determination to ensure that such groups would no longer operate in the two areas.
Concerns over juvenile gangs, drug trafficking, snatching and extortion have emerged repeatedly in different parts of the capital. Such activities have contributed to public anxiety about safety and security in affected neighbourhoods.
Law enforcement agencies have been conducting coordinated operations and increasing surveillance in areas where criminal activity is a concern. Police said the special raids would continue in the coming days as part of efforts to control crime and protect public safety.
Legal Action to Follow Verification
Police said the identities and backgrounds of those detained were being checked. Individuals against whom specific criminal cases were pending would be sent to court for further legal proceedings.
Others could face action through mobile courts where applicable under the law, according to the police.
However, detention alone does not establish that a person has committed an offence. The authorities will need to verify whether the individuals face existing cases, whether they were connected to the weapons or drugs recovered, and whether there is evidence linking them to other criminal activities before taking further legal action.
Effective crime prevention also depends on sustained investigations, intelligence gathering and efforts to identify the sources of illegal weapons and narcotics. In tackling juvenile gangs, enforcement measures may need to be complemented by the involvement of families, educational institutions and local communities.
The raids across the four areas form part of the authorities’ broader efforts to improve security in Dhaka. The subsequent investigations and legal proceedings will determine what further action is taken against those detained and whether the operation helps disrupt criminal networks in the capital.
