The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted a targeted operation in the Banani area of the capital, resulting in the arrest of a high-profile drug trafficker. The suspect, identified as Md. Zahidul Islam, was found in possession of illegal firearms, ammunition, and a significant quantity of narcotics. The raid took place in the vicinity of the former BRAC University campus on Wednesday night, 13 May 2026.
Details of the Operation
On Thursday morning, 14 May 2026, the Assistant Commissioner of the Gulshan Division, Shah Mostafa Tarikuzzaman, provided a formal briefing regarding the incident. Acting on precise intelligence, a police team from Banani Police Station was dispatched to House No. 114, situated behind the former university premises. At approximately 1:20 am, officers entered the sixth-floor apartment under the guidance of senior authorities.
With the cooperation of the building owner and local residents, the police conducted a thorough search of the premises. The search yielded two foreign-made pistols and other illicit materials. The suspect was apprehended on-site without incident.
Seized Contraband and Assets
The following table itemises the illegal weapons, narcotics, and currency recovered during the police operation:
| Item Category | Quantity / Value |
| Foreign-made Pistols | 2 Units |
| Ammunition Magazine | 1 Unit |
| Live Rounds | 3 Rounds |
| Yaba Tablets (Methamphetamine) | 2,150 Pieces |
| Cash (Bangladeshi Taka) | 96,320 BDT |
| Mobile Handsets | 2 Units |
Criminal Profile and Legal Proceedings
Md. Zahidul Islam has been identified by law enforcement as a prominent drug dealer operating within the Banani and Mohakhali sectors of Dhaka. According to Assistant Commissioner Tarikuzzaman, the suspect is also allegedly linked to a violent crime in the Farmgate area involving the shooting of a leader of the Jubo Dal (the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party).
Information suggest that the suspect had been using the residential building as a safe house for storing contraband. The recovery of foreign firearms indicates a level of criminal sophistication beyond local narcotic distribution.
The police department has confirmed that the process of initiating formal legal action against the accused is currently underway. Zahidul Islam will face charges under the Arms Act and the Narcotics Control Act. Further investigations are being conducted to identify the sources of the foreign weaponry and any wider criminal networks associated with the suspect. The seized mobile phones have been sent for forensic analysis to gather additional evidence regarding his past activities and accomplices.