Gang dopes drivers

Some gangs active in the capital impersonate CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers to get acquainted with the real drivers and make them unconscious with dope to rob them of their vehicles, said Detective Branch of Police.
DB came to know of this new ploy from five member of such a gang they arrested from the capital's Kadamtali Rayerbagh last Monday with 12 stolen CNG-run auto-rickshaws in their possession.
The arrestees are Nur Ali, 19, Shipon, 35, Harun Miah, 35, Sekandar, 29, and Mokbul Hossain, 35, said DB Assistant Commissioner Muntasir Rahman.
The arrestees informed that they first develop good relations with the drivers on the road and then offer them food tainted with sedatives at a convenient spot, said DB officials.
“Each gang member gets Tk 10,000 to 15,000 for snatching a vehicle. In some cases, the criminals injure or kill the drivers to snatch the vehicles,” said DB Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahidullah.
The gang leaders take the vehicles to the capital's outskirts and call up the owners demanding Tk 40,000 to Tk 1 lakh for their return. If the owners turn them down, the vehicles are sold off, he said.
The owners usually do not come to law enforcers over fears that police would not be able to help get back their vehicles, he added.
Stolen vehicles do not ply inside the capital. They have the number plates changed to that of Sylhet or Narayanganj and ply on specific routes with the aid of some local political leaders, said Shahidullah.
The arrestees claimed that they robbed the vehicles from different parts of the capital and were planning to change the engine and chassis numbers. A case was filed against the five with Kadamtoli Police Station, said Shahidullah.
DB officials said with Eid-ul-Fitr coming up, they had intensified vigilance after detecting 15 such gangs.