On the 19th day of the drive against casinos, the so called mastermind of the illegal business and president of the Jubo League’s Dhaka Metropolitan South unit, Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat, was arrested by RAB in Chouddagram, Cumilla on Oct 6 dawn.

On the same day, raids were carried out in Samrat's, homes in Shantinagar and Mahakhali. Alcohol and yaba tablets were found but no cash.

Earlier, huge amount of cash was found from Jubo League leaders, Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan and SM Golam Kibria Shamim. RAB feels that the cash was removed to a safe place. There is evidence that Samrat laundered money abroad.

RAB officials have said that Samrat will be questioned in remand.

During a raid at Samrat’s Kakrail office, two kangaroo skins, one pistol with five rounds of bullets, electric torture machine, 19 bottles of foreign liquor and 1160 pieces of yaba were found.

RAB did not find anything illegal during a drive at his Mohakhali DOHS residence where his second wife Sharmin Chowdhury resides.

RAB-3 commander, KM Shafiullah Bulbul, said: “from Samrat’s Shantinagar house, Tk 50600, US$ 1600, Indian Rupees 4100, Sing $ 332, four cheque-books, notepads and four credit cards were recovered. No one was arrested.”

The RAB began the anti-gambling drive on 18 September last and arrested Dhaka city south Jubo League organisational secretary, Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan and then, G K Shamim. During questioning, they said that they were initiated to gambling by Samrat.

Reportedly, Samrat took profit from gambling at the sports clubs. During the drive, banks accounts of Samrat were frozen by the Financial Intelligence Unit of Bangladesh Bank.

Financial Intelligence Unit head, Abu Hena Md Razi, says: “We are working on a report and once done, will give it to the law enforcers.”

Lt. Colonel Md Sarwar bin Kashem, said: “if we get information about money laundering then steps will be taken against Samrat.”