An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police, who was held along with three other individuals during a drive in a suspected drug den in Barishal city, on Thursday allegedly escaped from police custody.

The accused, Delwar Hossain, 38, is an ASI of the Airport Police Station under Barishal Metropolitan Police.

Members of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) arrested Delwar and the three others during a raid on a house in the South Korapur area under the Airport Police Station around 6:30am on Thursday.

The other arrestees were Nahid Hasan, 26, son of Abu Sayeed Mollah of Bhattokhamar Noapara in Fakirhat upazila of Bagerhat; Mirazul Islam, 34, son of late MA Bari of South Korapur; and Fatema Akter Nurjat, 30, daughter of Hemayet Gazi of Palashpur under Kaunia Police Station in Barishal city.

DNC Inspector Md Jahidul Islam said the four were arrested during the raid and handed over to the Airport Police Station.

According to police station sources, Delwar escaped from the station by Thursday evening.

However, Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam did not directly confirm the escape.

Asked about Delwar's whereabouts, he said, “He might not have fled; he might have gone somewhere out of fear.”

The incident sparked anger among local residents.