Law enforcement authorities in the capital are gearing up for a targeted operation to apprehend over 2500 illegal foreign nationals hailing from 15 countries. These individuals are reportedly embroiled in a wide array of criminal activities, ranging from drug trafficking and counterfeit currency operations to various forms of fraud. The majority of these individuals entered the country under the guise of engaging in the garment business.
Deputy Commissioner Rifat bin Shamim of the Gulshan Division under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has informed the Daily Messenger that a number of foreign nationals, residing in the country without legal authorisation, are actively engaged in criminal activities. Shockingly, even after being apprehended and subsequently released on bail, these individuals persist in their illicit endeavors. In response to this ongoing threat to public safety, law enforcement authorities have initiated a concerted effort to apprehend and bring these criminals to justice.
Reports suggest that Gulshan, Baridhara, and Uttara, renowned as the capital's posh areas, have unfortunately become safe havens for criminal activities orchestrated by foreign nationals. Despite being situated in areas with heightened security measures, these individuals manage to exploit their surroundings to engage in a variety of criminal enterprises. The perpetrators, shielded by the security apparatus, arrive in Bangladesh and carry out illicit activities, finding refuge not only within the respective embassies but also among a certain class of Bengali officials.
The alarming situation is exacerbated by the fact that these foreign criminals, taking advantage of the diplomatic zone, have set up base in various houses and upscale hotels in Gulshan and Baridhara. These areas, traditionally associated with diplomatic and official residences, have unfortunately become breeding grounds for criminal operations. The criminal repertoire of these individuals includes activities such as dealing in counterfeit currency, human trafficking, money laundering, heroin and drug trade, and even resorting to stealing money from ATM booths.
According to intelligence reports, criminal gangs hailing from 15 different countries have established their presence in the Gulshan, Baridhara, and Uttara areas of the capital. These countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, Libya, Iraq, India, Cameroon, Pakistan, Philippines, Afghanistan, Algeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Sri Lanka. Disturbingly, a significant number of citizens from these countries are found to be residing illegally in the mentioned areas.
Law enforcement agencies and intelligence officials have heightened their surveillance efforts, focusing specifically on individuals from these countries.
Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police Chief and Additional Commissioner Harun Or Rashid told Daily Messenger that foreign criminals always choose safe areas to commit crimes. And so they stay more in Gulshan, Baridhara and Uttara areas thinking it is safe. They also change their homes several times to avoid the prying eyes of the law enforcement agencies. It is a kind of strategy of criminals.
He said, “So far, we have arrested about a hundred such foreign nationals and brought them under the law. We have increased intelligence vigilance in a series of such incidents.”
The intelligence official also revealed that a foreign criminal network has infiltrated various sectors within the country, including the garment industry, real estate, IT and telecom, advertising agencies, restaurants, printing press, and NGOs. Notably, anonymous foreigners associated with numerous buying houses are found to predominantly engage in illicit business practices.
The intelligence police recently provided information on a series of arrests involving foreign nationals engaged in criminal activities. Among the apprehended individuals are three Nigerian citizens, Okopsi Simko (28), Okofer Sikki (26), and Adlas Samuel, who face charges related to fraud.
Additionally, in another operation, Kamara Kade (38), Konji Lovenia (40), and Roberto Milli Monono (32), citizens of the Central African country of Guinea, were arrested at house Sector 9, Uttara. The arrest was made in conjunction with the discovery of foreign beer and liquor at the location.
In another incident, Konji Lovenia (40), a citizen of Guinea, was arrested by the Banani police station for possession of cocaine.
Furthermore, at the airport, law enforcement successfully apprehended three foreign nationals attempting to smuggle heroin worth approximately crores of taka.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-10) successfully apprehended two Congolese nationals, Kamangabo Niba Joseph and Filefalbo Mindoliake, in Keraniganj near the capital. The arrest was made in connection with the possession of counterfeit dollars. Following their confession, a subsequent operation led to the recovery of counterfeit dollars from a house in Gulshan, totaling Tk 60 lakh.
In a related case involving fraud, a complaint was filed by the managing director of JK Knit Composites Limited in Savar, Jahangir Alam Khan, at the police station. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Ms Britt J Luludavigsen Chakata, a Peruvian national, and Sampad Kumar, an Indian national. Notably, the immigration police intercepted them when they attempted to flee the country.
In this way, the citizens of those foreign countries are constantly being arrested for various crimes.
As per police reports, citizens from certain African countries are actively engaged in drug trafficking, and their involvement extends to various other criminal activities. These individuals are known to frequent five-star hotels such as Radisson, Westin, and Regency, where they spend a significant portion of their day. It has been observed that they enter the country with the intention of capitalising on lucrative businesses, including garment factories in Bangladesh, while simultaneously committing crimes. On occasion, they may present themselves as buyers to establish a pretext for their presence.
In response to this escalating issue, a major campaign is set to commence soon.
Messenger/Disha
