Crime & Justice

Narco ‘let go’ from Rab custody?

Court orders PBI to probe

A court in Natore has directed the Police Bureau of Investigation to probe into an allegation that Rab let go a suspected drug dealer in custody in Lalpur upazila of Natore.

The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the order passed by Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Moslem Uddin on August 14.

Citing the court's order, bench assistant Ataul Gani Osmani said the Crime Prevention Special Company (CPSC) of Rab-5 in Rajshahi claimed to have arrested three people and recovered 400 bottles of Phensidyl and around 1.26kg of heroin hidden in a truck on the night of August 8 in Gopalpur area.

Of the arrestees: Sharif Mia, 33, is the truck driver, Nazir Hossain, 27, is his assistant, and Zainal Hossain, 42, is a labourer. 

A day later, Sub-inspector Md Nasim Uddin, currently working in the CPSC, filed a narcotics case with Lalpur Police Station against the three. The trio were produced before the court on August 10.

During the hearing that day, the three claimed that a fourth man, named Abdul Matin, had rented the truck in Narayanganj saying he would transport mangoes and guavas from Rajshahi.

Matin went along with them to Rajshahi but he did not buy mangoes or guavas. He took the truck to the bank of the Padma and had it loaded with sand, said Osmani quoting the arrestees.

After loading, the four started towards Narayanganj, they said, adding that Matin could have hidden the narcotics while loading the vehicle. 

Rab intercepted the truck in Natore and detained all four people, the three claimed, adding that Rab released Matin and only took them to the police station.

The trio claimed that they knew nothing about the drugs and that they were just operating the truck.

CPSC's Company Commander Major Md Nazmus Sakib denied the allegations and said, "We found three people on the spot with the drugs, while another one fled sensing the presence of Rab."

Sub-inspector Nasim, who filed the case, also denied the allegation and echoed the Rab commander.

The investigation officer of the case, Sub-inspector Md Rezaul Karim, refused to comment.

Abdul Halim, a local, was made a witness in the case.

Talking to this paper, he said he could not clearly see how many people had been arrested from the spot. "But I did not see anyone flee. I think it was impossible to flee because at least 30 Rab personnel were present there," he added.

Asked about the court order, Sharif Uddin Ahmed, Special Superintendent (SS) of PBI in Natore, said, "We have received the court order and have already started the investigation."

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Narco ‘let go’ from Rab custody?

Court orders PBI to probe

A court in Natore has directed the Police Bureau of Investigation to probe into an allegation that Rab let go a suspected drug dealer in custody in Lalpur upazila of Natore.

The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the order passed by Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Moslem Uddin on August 14.

Citing the court's order, bench assistant Ataul Gani Osmani said the Crime Prevention Special Company (CPSC) of Rab-5 in Rajshahi claimed to have arrested three people and recovered 400 bottles of Phensidyl and around 1.26kg of heroin hidden in a truck on the night of August 8 in Gopalpur area.

Of the arrestees: Sharif Mia, 33, is the truck driver, Nazir Hossain, 27, is his assistant, and Zainal Hossain, 42, is a labourer. 

A day later, Sub-inspector Md Nasim Uddin, currently working in the CPSC, filed a narcotics case with Lalpur Police Station against the three. The trio were produced before the court on August 10.

During the hearing that day, the three claimed that a fourth man, named Abdul Matin, had rented the truck in Narayanganj saying he would transport mangoes and guavas from Rajshahi.

Matin went along with them to Rajshahi but he did not buy mangoes or guavas. He took the truck to the bank of the Padma and had it loaded with sand, said Osmani quoting the arrestees.

After loading, the four started towards Narayanganj, they said, adding that Matin could have hidden the narcotics while loading the vehicle. 

Rab intercepted the truck in Natore and detained all four people, the three claimed, adding that Rab released Matin and only took them to the police station.

The trio claimed that they knew nothing about the drugs and that they were just operating the truck.

CPSC's Company Commander Major Md Nazmus Sakib denied the allegations and said, "We found three people on the spot with the drugs, while another one fled sensing the presence of Rab."

Sub-inspector Nasim, who filed the case, also denied the allegation and echoed the Rab commander.

The investigation officer of the case, Sub-inspector Md Rezaul Karim, refused to comment.

Abdul Halim, a local, was made a witness in the case.

Talking to this paper, he said he could not clearly see how many people had been arrested from the spot. "But I did not see anyone flee. I think it was impossible to flee because at least 30 Rab personnel were present there," he added.

Asked about the court order, Sharif Uddin Ahmed, Special Superintendent (SS) of PBI in Natore, said, "We have received the court order and have already started the investigation."

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