RAB-7 in a drive arrested 30 pirates while they were preparing to loot a fishing boat in the South Bay of Bengal. Meanwhile, a large amount of firearms and ammunition and two trawlers were seized.
RAB-7 captain Lt. Col. Md. Mahbub Alam disclosed this information at a press conference at Fisherighat No. 15, Patenga on Monday afternoon.
The arrested are -- Karim (33), Md Rubel (33), Md Zafur (35), Shafi Alam (40), Abdur Rahim (25), Md Shamim (21), Md Yusuf (29), Shajahan Begum (37), Md. Sahab Uddin (35), Md. Shawkat (37), Md. Ismail (26), Delwar Islam (42), Noor Mohammad (17), Abdur Rahim Sikder (34), Md. Mofizur Rahman (30), Fazal Haque (40), Md Gias Uddin (26), Md Akid (19), Md Akid Khan (37), Didarul Islam (33), Naeem (19), Harun (44), Yashin (29), Khalilur Rahman (25), Iqbal Hossain (24), Shahed (22), Hossain (27), Ali Hossain (24), Abdul Mannan (40) and Md Solaiman (38).
According to RAB, helpless fishermen were under the control of pirates in the Bay of Bengal for a long time. A 48-hour long breathless operation was conducted. Three armed gangs of about 35 to 40 robbers (Bhola, Barisal, Kutubdia and Anowara areas) came together and were planning to commit a large-scale robbery at sea. The gangs planned to rob around 15-20 trawlers in the next 10-12 days.
After the robbery, the looted fish and other equipment were taken to Bhola and Barisal areas for sale. Later, the sale proceeds were delivered among the pirates of Anowara and Kutubdia areas through mobile banking. This group of robbers is mainly divided into three groups and conducts their activities.
“We continued monitoring. We came to know that a group of 30-40 people from Patenga area of Chittagong is preparing for committing a robbery. The last thing we learnt was last Sunday that the dacoit group left the ghat area for committing the robbery at around 11 pm. Later, the RAB HQ intelligence team and one of our raid teams were able to locate the dacoits' trawler. We then arrested them and recovered 8 domestic firearms and 5 cartridges from their trawlers,” said a RAB officer.
According to RAB, the robbers spend one to two weeks committing doing robbery in the Bay of Bengal. The job of their godfathers is to supply arms, ammunition and trawlers.
Through sources at various boats, launches or steamer wharves, law enforcement forces are on patrol at sea, notifying pirates when they come ashore and selling looted fish and cargo as boat owners and fishmongers.
Also, the pirates used to go to the sea and distribute the money they receive from the sale of fish and goods, 40 percent to the so-called godfather, 20 percent to the cost of oil and the remaining 40 percent to the members directly involved in the robbery.
Two trawlers, 8 domestic firearms, 5 cartridges and a large amount of robbery equipment were recovered from the arrested.
During interrogation, the arrested accused admitted that they are active members of some organized pirates and dacoits and the active members involved in organized piracy activities in Banshkhali, Chakaria, Pekua, Kutubdia and Maheshkhali areas.
Besides, they have been robbing various channels along the sea route including Pekua, Kutubdia, Maheshkhali thana area of Cox's Bazar district along with Banshkhali of Chittagong for a long time.
It is to be noted that by reviewing the CDMS, information about numerous cases against 14 of the arrested accused is available against them due to these crimes.
The arrested accused and the recovered firearms, ammunition and equipment were handed over to the respective police stations for legal action.
