Three Arrested as DB Raids Alleged Criminal Hideout in Bogura

Three suspected members of a criminal group have been arrested during a raid on an alleged hideout near the Karatoa River in Bogura Sadar upazila, police said.

Detectives from the Bogura District Detective Branch (DB) said they recovered a foreign-made revolver, locally made weapons, narcotics, cash allegedly linked to drug sales and a high-voltage electric shock device during the operation.

According to police, the hideout was located in a secluded wooded area behind a paper mill and a TMSS factory near the Thengamara-Matidali area. Investigators allege that the group had been using a makeshift camp made of tents and polythene sheets to conduct criminal activities, including drug trafficking and alleged abductions for ransom.

The raid was carried out following a tip-off under the supervision of Bogura Superintendent of Police Mirza Sayeem Mahmood, police said.

The arrested suspects were identified by police as the alleged gang leader Rocky, his associate Rakib and another suspected member. Police said five to seven other suspects escaped by swimming across the Karatoa River.

The items reportedly seized from the site included a foreign-made revolver, three Chinese-made axes, a machete, several locally made weapons, narcotics and cash allegedly obtained from drug sales.

Detectives also recovered a 25,000-volt electric shock device, which investigators suspect may have been used to intimidate or torture people allegedly abducted by the group.

Bogura DB Officer-in-Charge Iqbal Bahar said Rocky and Rakib had previously faced multiple cases involving illegal firearms, narcotics and Phensedyl.

“They had been arrested before and later released on bail. They subsequently allegedly moved to the remote riverbank area and resumed criminal activities,” he said.

Police said legal proceedings have been initiated against the arrested suspects and efforts are underway to locate the other alleged members of the group.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the investigation remains ongoing.