1,400 sacks of fake fertiliser seized from underground factory

Spurious fertiliser seized by joint forces in Pabna yesterday.Photo: STAR

Joint forces busted an underground factory and seized about 1,400 sacks of spurious fertiliser from Ataikula market during drives yesterday and the night before.
The law enforcers arrested fertiliser dealer Uttom Kundu and trader Sirajul Islam Suruj and sealed the fake factory and some warehouses in the market, the biggest one in the district.
A sub-Inspector Anisur Rahman of Ataikula police station was closed for his alleged complicity with the factory owner and traders.
Owner of the underground factory Abdullah is absconding, police said. He ran the factory underneath his shop in the market, police said. A total of 638 bags of fake fertilizer, raw materials and some tools were recovered from Abdullah's shop.
Maj. Md. Rafiqul Hasan of Pabna army camp, Pabna Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Abdul Hakim and the agriculture officer jointly led the operation following a tip-off.
The fake fertilisers were seized from different shops and 7-8 warehouses, sources said.
The raids were conducted following statement of trader Sirajul Islam Suruj after about 400 bags of fake fertilisers were recovered from his warehouse at Brihaspatipur village near Ataikula market Saturday night. A truck was also seized during the raid.
Contacted yesterday afternoon, Ataikola police said the arrested persons were in custody and will be produced court today.
They said Suruj was involved in smuggling and marketing of fake fertiliser for a long.