85 held in anti-drug raid at house owned by addl DIG

The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has detained 85 people during an anti-drug raid at a house owned by an additional deputy inspector general (DIG) of police in the capital’s Bhatara area.

A team of the DB’s Uttara division raided the house in the early hours of Tuesday, DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam confirmed.

According to DB sources, drug consumption and DJ parties were regular features at the house, which was frequented by men and women of different ages. The raid was conducted after the DB received information about the activities.

The house belongs to Additional DIG Abdullah Al Zahir, who worked in the maintenance and repair branch at the Police Headquarters.

Speaking to the media about the raid, Shafiqul Islam said the additional DIG had rented out the house online and the tenants had been using it for drug-related activities.

Of the 85 people detained, 26 are women, he said, adding that the detainees will be prosecuted.

DB officials seized cannabis, yaba pills, alcohol and equipment used to consume yaba from the house.

Additional DIG Abdullah Al Zahir could not be reached for comment.

Following the incident, Zahir was removed from his post and attached to the Police Headquarters. An office order was issued in this regard on Tuesday afternoon.