4 operatives of doping gang arrested in Ctg

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP)’s Kotwali and Bakalia Police Stations in a joint drive arrested four active operatives -- including the ringleader -- of a doping gang from Bakalia and Kotwali area early yesterday.

The arrestees are Shahidul Islam, Babul, Ratan Mia, and Harun. Ratan Mia is the ringleader of the gang while Harun is the second-in-command, police said.

The group doped a person named Jasim on August 26 in Shah Amanat Bridge area of Bakalia, and a student of Chittagong University on August 24.

The CU student was returning to the university from the city, added DC Mehedi.   

Deputy Commissioner (South) of CMP Mehedi Hasan said the miscreants used to drug bus passengers by mixing sleeping pills in coconut water, and later looted valuables.

“They first mixed sleeping pills in water and then injected it into green coconuts; Harun used to sell the coconuts from a van in busy areas in the city,” said the DC while addressing a press conference at his office.

The victim from Bakalia is still unconscious and undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, said the DC.

Arrested Harun said they collected the sleeping pills from medicine shops in Laldighi area and used to mix 10 to 20 sleeping pills with water for each coconut, and later injected it into coconuts using medical syringes.

After the victim fell unconscious after drinking the coconut water, they stole valuables and cash from him in guise of helping, Harun added.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (South) Shah Md Abdur Rauf said the miscreants were shown arrested in two cases filed with Bakalia and Kotwali Police Stations.