APBn September Drives: Crores of Gold, Phones Seized, missing Children Rescued

Armed Police Battalion (APBn) in September seized gold worth over Tk 8.53 crore, recovered 862 lost mobile phones and rescued six missing children. In addition, a large number of individuals were arrested for their involvement in various crimes, including the recovery of drugs, weapons, stolen goods and money swindled through fraud during the nationwide drives.

Additional DIG of Operations and Intelligence Nurul Islam shared information in a press conference held at APBn headquarters on Monday (19 October) morning.

He stated that during the September drives, 4.344 kg of gold bars and ornaments were seized, with an estimated value of Tk 8,53,16,175. Total of 22 cases were filed and 27 individuals were arrested in connection with these incidents.

Through technology-based operations, APBN recovered 862 lost mobile phones. Additionally, three hacked Facebook IDs, two WhatsApp accounts, three email accounts and one Telegram account were recovered. They also retrieved Tk 2,22,280 swindled through bKash and Nagad mobile banking fraud.

Nurul Islam further noted that 22 victims, including six missing children, were rescued during the September operations. One case was filed and 15 people were arrested regarding these incidents.

In anti-weapons drives, one shooter gun, one round of ammunition and two empty bullet shells were recovered. One case was filed and one person was arrested.

During anti-drug operations, seized 33,468 Yaba pills, 6.058 kg of cannabis, 17.25 litres of alcohol, 673 cartons of cigarettes and Tk 5,390 recovered from drug sales. Eleven cases were registered and 12 individuals were arrested.

APBn drives also led to the seizure of 440 kg of banned marine crabs, 8.5 kg of copper wire, 1,062 kg of cosmetics, 750 feet of current net (monofilament net), three motorcycles, 277 sarees and three-piece outfits, 309 kg of food items, 262 kg of fabric, and 2 kg of medicine. Furthermore, 10 kg of counterfeit jewelry, three LED monitors along with GPS trackers, fans, solar panel batteries and Tk 5,250 from the sale of stolen goods were recovered. Bangladeshi currency worth Tk 32,560 was also seized during the operations.

The Additional DIG added that Tk 12,46,500 in fines was collected against 418 cases under traffic management. Furthermore, Tk 42,67,399 in fines was realized and sentences were handed down through BSTI, Customs and Executive Magistrate courts. A total number of 52 cases were filed and 349 people were arrested during these joint activities.

Additionally, 34 fugitives with outstanding warrants, 14 accused named in FIRs and four suspects were arrested during various operations. APBN also provided data on cases and arrests related to theft, brawls, road accidents, kidnapping, rape, the Special Powers Act and robbery.

Operations were also conducted to detain FDMN (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar National) members while attempting to escape. During these operations, Tk 15,000 was recovered, one case was filed, and 22 people were arrested. Gambling equipment along with Tk 1,860 was also seized.

Accused of illegal intrusion into the Rohingya camp area, 22 vehicles were seized and sent to the Shah Porir Dwip Highway Police Station. Additionally, Tk 55,880, 30 bricks, and two mobile phones were recovered from the camp area. In total, 43 cases were filed in September through the 8th, 14th and 16th of APBn.

Nurul Islam added at the last, units of APBn are working to control crime and maintain a normal law and order situation through drives, intelligence surveillance and the effective use of information technology. He emphasized technology-driven and citizen-friendly policing operations will continue in the future to ensure public safety, curb crime and simplify civic services.