Addl DIG reassigned after DB raids drug party at his flat

An Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police has been removed from his post and attached to Police Headquarters following a Detective Branch (DB) raid on his rented apartment in capital's Bhatara area.

The officer, Abdullah Al Zahir, previously attached to the Repair and Maintenance wing, was reassigned to the Headquarters branch under an order signed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir on Tuesday (October 20).

The administrative action follows a late-night operation conducted by the Uttara Division of DB on Monday (October 19), targeting a residential unit in Police Housing-1 under Bhatara Police Station. The raid was executed based on intelligence reports indicating illegal drug trading, substance abuse, and late-night parties operating on the premises.

Law enforcement officers detained 84 individuals from the location, including 26 women, 58 men, and an Afghan national. DB personnel recovered cannabis, Yaba pills, alcohol, and drug administration paraphernalia during the drive.

Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) Shafiqul Islam confirmed that the property had been rented out via Airbnb by the Additional DIG, where unauthorized parties and drug use were taking place. 

DB Deputy Commissioner Elias Kabir stated that the flat was operated by a host and a co-host, the latter identified as Mahbubul Alam, who was detained during the raid. Investigators revealed that 70 per cent of the rental earnings from the property were directed to the police official.

Legal proceedings regarding the incident are currently underway.

-EM