Cox’s Bazar, Sept. 06 (V7N) — The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested a suspected member of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) with a foreign-made pistol, a magazine and four live bullets in Ukhiya, while separately seizing 3kg of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar.

The two incidents took place in separate operations in the district, according to RAB.

Suspected ARSA member arrested in Ukhiya

RAB arrested a 19-year-old Rohingya man, identified as Mohammad Zahir, during an operation at Rohingya Camp 11 in Ukhiya at around 12:20am on Saturday.

Zahir is the son of Rashid Ahmed and a resident of Block-2 of Camp 12 at Moynargona in Ukhiya.

According to RAB-15, a team from its Crime Prevention Company-2 (Whykong Camp) conducted a search operation based on confidential information.

The team set up a checkpoint in front of the Multipurpose Community and Service Centre in the Maragachtala area of Camp 11. Zahir was stopped on suspicion and searched.

RAB said a foreign-made pistol, a magazine and four live bullets were recovered from his possession.

RAB claimed that Zahir is an active member of ARSA, an armed organisation based in Myanmar. The law enforcement agency also said that during preliminary questioning, Zahir admitted to being an active member of the group.

RAB further claimed that information obtained during questioning indicated that he had allegedly been involved in various criminal activities inside the camp, including carrying firearms, for a long period.

A case was filed against Zahir under the Arms Act of 1878 for allegedly possessing an illegal firearm. He was later handed over to Ukhiya Police Station.

Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikur Rahman confirmed that RAB had handed over a Rohingya man to the police and said a case had been filed against him under the Arms Act.

3kg crystal meth seized in separate Teknaf operation

In a separate operation, RAB-15 seized 3kg of crystal methamphetamine in the Majher Dail area of Shah Porir Dwip under Sabrang Union of Teknaf.

The seizure was made at around 1:10am on Saturday, Sept. 5.

According to RAB, its members launched the operation based on confidential information about drug trafficking in the area.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcement personnel, several suspected drug traffickers allegedly fled the scene, leaving behind a plastic bag.

RAB members later searched the bag and recovered three aluminium-foil packets, each containing approximately 1kg of crystal methamphetamine.

The packets reportedly bore the name “GUANYINWANG”.

RAB estimated the market value of the seized drugs at several crore taka. No one was arrested during the operation.

RAB said efforts were continuing to identify and arrest those who fled the scene.

The seized drugs were handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for further legal action.

Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Saiful Islam confirmed the seizure and said RAB had handed over the recovered crystal methamphetamine to the police.

The allegations regarding Zahir’s affiliation with ARSA and involvement in criminal activities could not be independently verified.

END/MSI/SMA/