Police have arrested nearly 33,000 crime suspects in a nationwide special operation launched in around two and a half months, as authorities continue a broad crackdown on crime and illegal drugs. According to a Police Headquarters statement, 32,908 people were arrested in special drives conducted across the country between May 1 and July 12, 2026.
Seized Firearms and Ammunition
During the operation, police seized a significant amount of firearms and ammunition. The recovered firearms included 76 pistols, 50 guns, 33 LG firearms, 30 shooter guns, 18 revolvers, 15 pipe guns, four shotguns, two rifles, two submachine guns (SMGs), 12 air guns, and one pen gun. Additionally, 2,313 rounds of ammunition, 88 magazines, 43 crude explosives, 2kg of gunpowder, 503 locally made weapons, weapon parts, bomb-making equipment, and more than 10,000 chocolate bombs, a type of locally made firecracker, were seized.
Narcotics Bust
The operation also targeted narcotics. Police said they recovered 7.64 million yaba tablets, 8,284 packets of heroin, 3,186 bottles of phensedyl, 6,835 bottles of foreign liquor, 354 bottles of locally produced liquor, 5,336 packets of cannabis, and other illegal drugs. Authorities said 14,157 drug-related cases were filed during the period, with 20,439 people arrested over narcotics offences.
Broader Impact
A further 83,817 people were detained in connection with other criminal cases and routine police operations during the same period. This extensive crackdown reflects the government's commitment to reducing crime and drug trafficking in the country. The operation underscores the authorities' efforts to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.
Why This Matters
The nationwide anti-crime crackdown is significant for Bangladesh as it aims to curb the rising crime rates and drug-related activities. The large number of arrests and seizures indicates a robust law enforcement effort. This operation is expected to have a positive impact on public safety and may lead to a reduction in criminal activities in the near future.
