The Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) have successfully dismantled a suspected arms trafficking cell, arresting four individuals and seizing a substantial quantity of firearms, ammunition, and weapon-making equipment. The details of the coordinated raids were released during a media briefing at the Dampara Police Lines on Thursday evening, 30 April 2026.
The apprehended suspects, hailing from various regions of the Chittagong district, were identified as Md Hasan (28), Nur Uddin Shohel (30), Tapas Palit (alias Shimul, 51), and Deepak Kanti Dey (58).
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Recovered Arsenal and Prohibited Equipment
The operations resulted in the recovery of a diverse range of lethal and tactical equipment. According to the official police inventory, the seized items include:
Firearms: Two foreign-manufactured pistols, two shotguns, and one single-barrel gun.
Ammunition: A total of 50 rounds, including 28 pistol bullets, two specialised China rifle bullets, and 20 other assorted rounds.
Tactical Gear: Three magazines and three recoiling sprays (chemical deterrents).
Cold Weapons & Tools: Four large knives (chapattis) and various tools and components utilised in the assembly or modification of firearms.
Operational Timeline: Oxygen Mor to Hathazari
The crackdown was executed in several phases, beginning in the early hours of Wednesday, 29 April 2026, and concluding late that afternoon.
Phase I (Oxygen Mor & Cheragi Pahar): Based on a confidential tip-off, police first targeted the Oxygen Mor area, where Nur Uddin Shohel was caught in possession of a foreign pistol. His subsequent interrogation led officers to a residence in Cheragi Pahar, where Tapas Palit was arrested with ten rounds of ammunition hidden in his bedroom.
Phase II (Wajedia): By Wednesday afternoon, the investigation shifted to the Wajedia area. Police intercepted Deepak Kanti Dey, recovering a second foreign pistol, eighteen pistol rounds, and two China rifle bullets.
Phase III (Dreamland Residential Area): Simultaneously, Md Hasan was apprehended in the Dreamland Residential Area under the Bayezid Bostami Police Station. Following his disclosure, a team raided his home in Hathazari, discovering three additional firearms and twenty rounds of ammunition.
Links to Border Trafficking and Criminal Backgrounds
Amirul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of the CMP (North Zone), informed the press that the suspects are believed to be part of a long-term syndicate specialising in the procurement of illegal weapons from border regions. These arms were reportedly intended for distribution among local criminal groups. None of the detainees possessed valid permits or documentation for the cache.
The investigation highlighted that Md Hasan is a known career criminal, with at least five existing cases ranging from violence to illegal possession already registered against him at the Bayezid Bostami Police Station.
Legal Proceedings and Future Enforcement
Abdul Karim, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Bayezid Bostami Police Station, confirmed that a case has been formally registered under the Arms Act. The four suspects have been produced before the Chittagong court, with police expected to seek a remand for further interrogation regarding the source of the foreign weaponry.
The CMP has re-emphasised its commitment to a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding illegal firearms. Officials stated that intelligence-led operations will remain a priority to prevent the influx of illicit weapons into the metropolitan area, particularly as they seek to identify the high-level suppliers operating within the border corridors.