BENAPOLE, Dec 17: Organised weapon trafficking syndicates have become active in several border areas of Jashore in the lead-up to the upcoming elections, according to police intelligence.
Police sources said a seven-member masked gang has been running arms trade under the cover of various ostensible businesses.
The syndicate reportedly has link with an arms dealer based in Bangaon, a municipality of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal, and has been supplying weapons to criminal groups in Jashore and other parts of the country.
The gang is alleged to be making a fast buck within a short period of time through this illegal business.
There are also allegations of its involvement in gold smuggling and hundi operations.
The information came to light during intelligence-led investigations following the arrest of a youth named Liton Gazi on November 30.
He was detained by Jashore district Detective Branch (DB) police from Madhugram in Sadar upazila in possession of five foreign-made pistols, 50 rounds of bullets, 10 magazines and some other ammunition. After that, efforts to recover more weapons were intensified. Police sources said organised arms dealers are actively continuing their activities in several border villages, including Raghunathpur in Benapole.
In Raghunathpur alone, there is reportedly a powerful seven-member syndicate active. All of the seven are identified drug traders and accused in multiple criminal cases.
According to police, the gang possesses two firearms, 10 rounds of bullets, one double-barrel gun and four 9mm pistols. A certain member keeps two firearms and 10 rounds of bullets at his house, while aother keeps a double-barrel gun. To counter any raid or attack, 10 to 12 crude bombs are allegedly kept hidden at the base of a mahogany tree on the eastern side of a fish pond. Two other members work as aides, responsible for maintaining and guarding illegal items. In a joint forces operation in Keshabpur upazila of Jashore, four people were arrested on 5 December along with one foreign-made pistol, ammunition, locally-made weapons, drugs, and various tools used in criminal activities. DB Officer-in-Charge Manjurul Haque Bhuiyan said that ahead of the elections, demands have grown from various quarters for the arrest of armed criminals and the recovery of illegal weapons.
During discussions with journalists, it was claimed that the seven-member group has a leader who is simultaneously a drug trafficker, arms dealer, and a key figure in gold smuggling and hundi operations.
"All arms deliveries across different areas of Jashore are carried out on his instructions," the DB officer said, adding that the syndicate includes an Indian arms dealer and smuggler. The leader is currently staying in Bira village of Bangaon subdivision in India, while the remaining six members operate locally.
Police further allege that the gang recruits unemployed youths, using them for minimal payments. In recent days, the syndicate has reportedly added 10 pistols, two shotguns, one double-barrel gun, and 100 to 150 rounds of bullets with magazines to its stock.
It is also accused of trading several automatic rifles and small pistols.
Allegations also suggest that they currently have more than 50 bombs and 20 to 22 large machetes (ramdas). Sources said that raids and searches in Benapole Bazar, Raghunathpur and several other villages-using local informants-could lead to the arrest of gang members along with weapons and hundi money.
Large consignments of arms are allegedly smuggled across the border and delivered to different parts of the country, including Dhaka.
DB OC Manjurul Haque Bhuiyan said he has received intelligence inputs about an illegal arms syndicate operating around Benapole and Sharsha, and several officers are already working on the matter. "Raids will be carried out soon based on specific information," he said. Jashore Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam, PPM, said police have taken a tough stance against armed criminals. "We are conducting proper operations to recover illegal arms. All police stations and district units have been instructed to take action," he said, expressing hope that law and order would visibly improve ahead of the elections.
benapolejessore@gmail.com
© 2025 - All Rights with The Financial Express
