In a significant operation, law enforcement officials in Dhaka arrested Mashiul Azam (36) and his accomplice, Shanto Islam (27), at a police checkpoint near the Mirpur-11 Metro Rail station on Saturday evening. The suspects were intercepted while traveling on a motorcycle, and a search revealed an illegal foreign-made pistol and ammunition in their possession.
According to police reports, the duo was en route to the Special Metropolitan Magistrate's Court to secure the release of another associate who had been detained by police the previous day on drug-related charges. When signaled to stop at the Mirpur-11 checkpoint, the suspects attempted to flee at high speed, but were quickly apprehended by alert officers. Mashiul admitted during questioning that the firearm lacked any valid license.
Deputy Commissioner of the Mirpur Division, Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar, confirmed that Mashiul Azam is a known offender with nine existing cases against him at the Pallabi Police Station, involving charges of extortion, drug trafficking, and illegal possession of weapons. Notably, Mashiul had previously been arrested in 2025 for similar offenses involving illegal firearms, indicating a persistent pattern of criminal activity.
Following the arrest, the motorcycle used by the suspects was seized, and authorities are currently preparing to file a new case under the Arms Act at the Pallabi Police Station. The police noted that the checkpoint was part of a broader initiative to curb extortion and criminal activities in the Mirpur area, which has been plagued by such incidents.
Authorities are now processing the suspects for court appearance, and it is expected that police will seek remand to further investigate the extent of their criminal network. This arrest is being viewed as a major success in the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order in the capital, as it effectively neutralizes a key figure involved in local extortion rackets.
