The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has launched an investigation into allegations that police officers seized 1,600 yaba tablets and 81,000 taka in cash from a bus passenger before releasing him after the drugs mysteriously disappeared from a second X-ray examination conducted just an hour later.
CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Shawkat Ali ordered the formation of an investigation committee on Wednesday, a day after Daily Waadaa published an investigative report exposing the alleged misconduct.
The committee will be headed by Md Alamgir Hossain, deputy commissioner (West) of the CMP.
Confirming the development, Commissioner Hasan said, "We are investigating the incident with the utmost seriousness. If the allegations are substantiated, strict action will be taken against everyone involved."
The investigation follows Tuesday's Waadaa report detailing allegations against officers of Akbar Shah Police Station. The revelations have triggered considerable concern within the police administration.
According to the investigation, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Rabiul Hossain of Akbar Shah Police Station intercepted a Bagerhat-bound bus in the City Gate area on October 28 and detained suspected drug trafficker Sohel Hawlader.
The officers took him to the nearby Golden Diagnostic Centre at 7:01 p.m., where an X-ray examination reportedly detected 1,600 yaba tablets concealed inside his body.
Police then allegedly took Sohel to a secluded location near DC Park, threatened to kill him in a staged gunfight, commonly known as "crossfire," and seized the yaba tablets along with 81,000 taka in cash.
At 8:05 p.m., barely an hour after the first examination, officers took him to Al-Amin Diagnostic Centre for another X-ray.
This time, the examination reportedly showed no trace of the yaba tablets previously detected inside his body.
Police subsequently recorded a video confession from Sohel before releasing him.
The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the drugs, the alleged seizure of cash and the suspect's release are now under investigation by the CMP committee.
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