Sadeeq Agro Chairman arrested in Tk 133cr money laundering case

A spokeperson from CID Additional Special Police Superintendent Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed the arrest on Monday afternoon.

Earlier, the CID's Financial Crime Unit filed a case against Imran Hossain, Touhidul Alam Zenith, and Sadeeq Agro under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.

Investigations revealed that Sadeeq Agro was involved in smuggling, fraud, and forgery, including the illegal import of Brahman cattle without government approval. The company also smuggled small-sized cattle from Bhutan and Nepal, selling them in Bangladesh. 

Additionally, Sadeeq Agro fraudulently marketed local cattle and goats as foreign or high-breed animals, selling them at inflated prices during sacrificial animal markets.

The company allegedly smuggled cattle and buffaloes from Thailand and Myanmar through the Teknaf and Ukhiya border areas of Cox's Bazar. Imran Hossain reportedly transferred approximately Tk 121.32 crore of illegally earned money through various bank accounts in his name and affiliated organizations.

It was also discovered that 15 Brahman cattle, which were supposed to be slaughtered and sold at fair prices as per government directives, were fraudulently shown as slaughtered on paper but were instead misappropriated.

Furthermore, Sadeeq Agro illegally filled and occupied the Ramchandrapur government canal in the Beribandh area under Mohammadpur Police Station without approval. The company invested Tk 11.36 crore in fixed deposits under the name of Jalalabad Metal Limited, a company owned by Imran Hossain, bringing the total amount involved to Tk 133.55 crore.

The case was filed on March 3 this year at Mohammadpur Police Station by sub-inspector Mohammad Zonaid Hossain, the investigating officer, after evidence of financial crimes was found during the CID's investigation. Imran Hossain was subsequently arrested in connection with the case.