Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Acting Commissioner Md Sarwar has said that special drives have been intensified against extortionists, drug traffickers, armed criminals and online gamblers in the capital.
He warned that there is zero tolerance for such crimes, adding that anyone attempting to lobby on behalf of offenders will also be considered a criminal. Speaking at a press conference at the DMP Media Centre on Sunday, he said that since the launch of the special drives on May 1, a total of 58 listed extortionists and 94 of their associates have been arrested.
He noted that curbing extortion remains the top priority under an "integrated security strategy," which also targets drugs, illegal arms, terrorism and online gambling. The objective is to eliminate crime and ensure safety for city residents. As part of the operation, special drives and sudden "block raids" are being carried out in crime-prone areas. Police are also setting up checkpoints, increasing intelligence surveillance and analyzing CCTV footage to track suspects. Plainclothes members of Detective Branch (DB) and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, along with cyber monitoring teams, are using modern technology to keep surveillance on criminal activities.
Responding to a question about political links, the acting commissioner said an extortionist is simply an extortionist, regardless of identity or affiliation, and all offenders are being brought to justice.
Regular patrols and targeted drives are ongoing in kitchen markets, major shopping centres, terminals and key business hubs. Based on intelligence, joint operations by local police station, DB and CTTC have led to arrests, with legal action taken and evidence seized.
Highlighting anti-drug efforts, he said large quantities of narcotics were seized over the past week, including 80 kg of cannabis on Saturday. Drives now focus on intercepting major consignments and identifying ringleaders, with preparations underway to file money laundering and other cases.
To strengthen security, two police camps have been set up in Bosila and Karwan Bazar, with more planned. Installation of additional CCTV cameras at key points is also ongoing.
Sarwar added that a proposal to establish a new police station in Mohammadpur is being finalized, while another in Rayerbazar is already under ministry review.
He urged citizens to share information on suspicious activities, reiterating that offenders will be brought under the law regardless of identity. He stressed that recommending criminals will be treated as complicity, reaffirming DMP's zero tolerance stance.
He also said the lists of extortionists is regularly updated and that fugitives will be arrested from anywhere in the country.
