The Rapid Action Battalion has seized over 1,100 tablets of contraband yaba along with ‘torture machines’, from now expelled Jubo League south chief Ismail Chowdhury Samrat’s office.
Two kangaroo hides, foreign gun, six rounds of ammunition, two torture machines and foreign liquor were also seized from his office at Dhaka’s Kakrail during the raid on Sunday (Oct 6), confirmed RAB Executive Magistrate Md Sarwar Alam.
The elite police unit, led by Magistrate Alam raided the alleged casino kingpin’s office in his presence after he was arrested from Cumilla’s Chauddagram upazila around 5am on Sunday (Oct 6).
Two separate RAB battalions also raided his homes at Shantinagar and Mohakhali DOHS in Dhaka the same day.
Confirming the raid at Samrat’s Shantinagar residence, RAB-3 chief Shafiullah Bulbul said that the raid was being led by Executive Magistrate Kamruzzaman.
Meanwhile, RAB-2 chief Ashique Billah said that they were raiding his Mohakhali DOHS residence on “specific allegations.”
RAB didn’t find anything at his Mohakhali home and according to his second wife Sharmin Chowdhury he hasn’t been there in the last two years.
“He spent the casino for the party not on himself,” she told reporters after the raid.
Samrat along with his accomplice Arman were expelled from the ruling party youth front following the arrest on Sunday.
He had been under the law enforcers’ radar since the countrywide crackdown on casinos began on Sept 18.
Earlier on Sunday, RAB Director General Benazir Hossain said that Samrat left Dhaka within a couple of days since the raids began.
“Samrat’s name popped up in the casino raids and he has been detained for allegations of involvement in casino operation,” he said.
He added that his accomplice Armaan was also involved with the illegal gambling facilities, and RAB was trying to arrest more people who are directly related to the business.
The involvement of Jubo League leaders in overseeing illicit gambling operations came to light after the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) uncovered the illegal casino business during raids at Young Men's Club, Wanderers Club and Muktijoddha Krira Chakra on September 18.
The elite police unit arrested Khalid Mahmud, organising secretary of Jubo League's Dhaka south unit, the same day before nabbing Kalabagan Krira Chakra President and Krishak League leader Shafiqul Alam Firoz.
GK Shamim, Jubo League leader and businessman, was arrested two days later for money laundering, illegal possession of arms, and narcotics.
Later, raids by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police at the Mohammedan Sporting Club, Dilkhusha Sporting Club, Victoria Sporting Club and Arambagh Sporting Club also uncovered similar gambling operations.
On Thursday (Sept 27) RAB arrested Mohammedan’s Director-in-Charge Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan and charged him with money laundering, over his proceedings from the decades-old club.
Since Sept 18, RAB and police have raided different clubs across Bangladesh, busting illegal casinos. A number of people, including Jubo league leaders, were detained and then showed arrested after the raids.
Samrat went into hiding after being suspected of running illegal casinos. On September 24, Police Headquarters issued a travel ban against him.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal recently said Samrat will be brought to justice if evidence surfaces that he has committed a crime.
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RAB raids Samrat’s office, home
