Police Detain 140 During Raid on Unlicensed Bar in Uttara

DHAKA — Law enforcement agencies conducted an extensive operation against an unlicensed commercial establishment in the capital’s Uttara residential area, resulting in the detention of 140 individuals, including 57 women. The raid was carried out at the ‘Combe Restaurant and Bar’, located adjacent to the ‘Moylar Mor’ in Sector 12, beginning late Thursday night and concluding at approximately 4:00 am on Friday, 24 April 2026.

Despite the scale of the operation and the nature of the allegations, authorities reported that no consignments of liquor or beer were officially seized from the premises during the search—a detail that has prompted local administrative queries.

Premises Profile and Operational Findings

The ‘Combe Restaurant and Bar’ occupies the third, fourth, and fifth floors of a commercial building on Sonargaon Janapath Road. Investigations revealed that the establishment had been operating a full-scale bar under the guise of a standard restaurant for a significant period.

During the raid, officers discovered that the establishment offered services beyond the unauthorised sale of alcohol. The fifth floor was found to be partitioned into several private rooms, allegedly used for facilitate intimate interactions between patrons and female companions provided by the venue.

The police identified a diverse demographic among those present at the time of the intervention, including:

• Leaders of local ‘Kishore Gangs’ (juvenile gangs).

• Activists and leaders associated with various political organisations.

• Businessmen and professionals from multiple sectors.

Eyewitness accounts from the scene indicated that several patrons, appearing to be in a state of advanced intoxication, engaged in verbal altercations with law enforcement officials. To evade detention, numerous young men and women attempted to conceal themselves within the establishment’s lavatories, balconies, sofa cavities, and kitchen areas. All such individuals were eventually located and transported to the local police station for processing.

Regulatory Violations and Allegations of Collusion

Information from reliable administrative sources suggests that the establishment lacked the requisite operational permits to function as a bar. Furthermore, the alcohol distributed on the premises was allegedly sourced through illicit channels, bypassing the regulations set by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.

Local reports further allege that the venue hosted nightly entertainment involving semi-clad dancers under strobe lighting, attracting a clientele that included students from schools, colleges, and universities. Despite the illicit nature of these activities, the establishment reportedly maintained operations through the alleged provision of monthly illicit payments (masowara) to certain dishonest officials within the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) and local law enforcement agencies.

Official Police Response and Leadership

The operation was led by Mirza Tareq Ahmed Beig, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Uttara Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). The task force included personnel from the Uttara West Police Station, the Detective Branch (DB), and plainclothes officers from various intelligence agencies.

Other senior officials present during the operation included:

• Md Ariful Islam, Senior Assistant Commissioner (AC) of the Uttara Zone.

• Md Khalid Mansur, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Uttara West Police Station.

• Md Moniruzzaman, Inspector (Investigation).

• Md Nazrul Islam, Inspector (Operations).

DC Mirza Tareq Ahmed Beig addressed the media following the raid, stating:

“We have initiated this operation as part of our broader crackdown on juvenile gangs and narcotics. At the Combe Restaurant and Bar, we have arrested 140 individuals. None of these patrons possessed a valid consumption licence, and crucially, the establishment itself did not hold a licence to operate as a bar.”

When questioned regarding the potential lack of oversight by the Department of Narcotics Control, DC Beig declined to comment specifically but reaffirmed the police’s commitment to a drug-free society. He issued a stern warning to other unauthorised establishments:

“Successive operations will be conducted across other venues. I wish to convey a clear message—this action will continue. My final word in the administration of police duties is the absolute rule of law.”

The 140 detainees remain in custody pending further investigation into their specific involvement and potential breaches of the Narcotics Control Act. The police have requested the cooperation of the public and the media to ensure the efficacy of future anti-drug initiatives.