DMP Arrests 460 in Citywide Security Drive

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 460 people across the capital during a 24-hour citywide operation aimed at maintaining law and order, according to an official statement released on Monday, 20 July. During the same period, police also registered 49 cases involving a range of criminal allegations.

According to the DMP, the coordinated operation focused on anti-narcotics enforcement, the arrest of wanted individuals, and the detention of suspects allegedly involved in various criminal activities. Police conducted searches in different parts of the city and recovered a significant quantity of illicit drugs and other evidence during the raids.

The largest number of arrests was made in the Mirpur Division, where 126 individuals were taken into custody. Tejgaon Division recorded the second-highest figure with 62 arrests, followed by Wari Division with 57. Police detained 56 people in Motijheel Division and another 47 in Uttara Division. Ramna Division accounted for 39 arrests, Gulshan Division for 34, and Lalbagh Division for 33. Detectives from the Detective Branch (DB) separately arrested an additional six individuals during intelligence-led operations.

As part of the crackdown, officers seized a considerable quantity of suspected narcotics and related evidence. The recovered items included 12,084 yaba tablets, 120 grams of cannabis, 100 bottles of Eskaf syrup and cash amounting to Tk 4,800. Police said all seized items had been confiscated in accordance with legal procedures and would be produced as evidence in the relevant criminal cases.

The DMP said the operations were carried out through a combination of routine patrols, targeted searches and intelligence-based policing. Such drives are regularly organised across the capital to curb offences including drug trafficking, theft, robbery, mugging and the activities of wanted fugitives. Officers also continue to monitor areas identified as being more vulnerable to criminal activity, while special operations are launched whenever intelligence indicates an elevated security risk.

Officials stated that legal proceedings against those arrested are now under way. Individuals facing specific allegations will be produced before the courts, while the recovered narcotics and other seized materials will be formally incorporated into the case records as evidence.

Regular enforcement campaigns of this nature form part of the DMP’s broader strategy to strengthen public safety and reduce crime across Dhaka. Alongside visible patrols, law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on intelligence gathering and coordinated operations to disrupt criminal networks, apprehend suspects and prevent offences before they occur.

The police reiterated that these routine drives will continue as part of ongoing efforts to maintain public order, intensify anti-drug operations and enhance security for residents throughout the capital.