Rab identifies 'arms dealer'
The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) yesterday claimed to have identified an arms and drug dealer who has been running the illicit business introducing himself as a source of law-enforcement agencies and maintaining good relations with the administration.
Tarek Ahemd Anik is a top drug and arms dealer who has sold at least 50 firearms in the capital after bringing those from Rajshahi bordering areas in last one and a half years, Rab alleged.
“We think his misdeeds were covered up as he used to maintain good relations with the administration and introduce himself as a source of law enforcers,” Lt Col Tuhin Mohammad Masud, commanding officer of Rab-1, told reporters at a press briefing at Rab media centre in Karwan Bazar.
The Rab is unaware about any case filed against him with any police station.
In the briefing, Rab disclosed arrest of five of Anik's alleged accomplices. The elite force said they also recovered four pistols and 38 bullets from them.
Anik is on the run.
The special force arrested three of the arrestees in the capital's Uttara area around 8:30pm on Sunday chasing down a pickup-van from Ashulia.
The arrestees are Rubel Sheikh, 24, Sohel Mollah, 24, and Bahes Sheik, 32. They allegedly used to carry firearms for Anik from bordering area regularly on such pickup-vans, the Rab CO said.
Based on their information, Rab arrested two others -- Abbas Mia, 25, and Ariful Islam Arif, 25 -- in Uttar Badda area.
“We have also got some names and are looking for Anik and his other accomplices,” Lt Col Tuhin added.
According to Rab, Anik got addicted to drug as he started working as a disk jockey. Later he started drug business on his own.
He also became acquainted with illegal firearms dealers as he needed an illegal firearm to maintain his drug racket. Later on, Anik himself started the arms business, Rab said.
Replying to a query, the Rab officer said they have no knowledge if militants had collected firearms form Anik.
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