Over 117,000 Arrested in 72-Day Nationwide Police Crackdown

A massive law enforcement operation spanning 72 days has resulted in the arrest of nearly 117,000 individuals across Bangladesh, including the capital, Dhaka. The sweeping crackdown targeted various criminal activities to stabilise the national law and order situation. According to an official press release issued on Monday by the Media and Public Relations wing of Police Headquarters, a total of 116,725 suspects were apprehended during coordinated raids conducted between 1 May and 12 July.

The scale of the operation highlights a dual strategy by the authorities. Specialised operations led to the arrest of 32,908 high-profile suspects or those directly caught during specific tactical raids. Meanwhile, routine police drives and executions of existing court warrants accounted for the remaining 83,817 arrests.

Beyond the arrests, the 72-day campaign yielded a substantial haul of illegal weaponry and ammunition. Police Headquarters confirmed the recovery of 243 firearms, 2,313 rounds of live ammunition, 88 ammunition magazines, and 503 locally manufactured sharp weapons. Officers also seized 43 crude bombs (cocktails), two kilogrammes of gunpowder, 18 weapon components, 17 tools specifically used for manufacturing firearms and explosives, and 10,000 prohibited firecrackers.

The extensive list of confiscated illegal firearms comprises 11 distinct categories of weapons:

• Pistols: 76

• Shotguns: 4

• Revolvers: 18

• Rifles: 2

• Sub-machine Guns (SMGs): 2

• Airguns: 12

• Pen-gun: 1

• Local Guns (LGs): 33

• Shooter Guns: 30

• Traditional Muskets/Guns: 50

• Pipe-guns: 15

Simultaneously, the anti-narcotics division recorded major breakthroughs in dismantling local drug trafficking rings during the same period. Law enforcement personnel seized an immense quantity of illicit substances, including 7,640,276 Yaba tablets, 8,284 small packets (puria) of heroin, and 5,336 packets of cannabis. The raids also intercepted significant shipments of contraband alcohol, netting 3,186 bottles of Phensedyl, 6,835 bottles of foreign liquor, and 354 bottles of locally brewed spirits.

This aggressive push against the narcotics trade has culminated in the filing of 14,157 specific criminal cases. Out of the total individuals detained during the 72 days, 20,439 suspects were explicitly charged with drug peddling and smuggling offences. Police authorities have indicated that these extensive drives will continue in phases to ensure public safety and curb organized crime.