Coast Guard raids Moheshkhali, arrests notorious ‘Mintu Bahini’ chief with illegal arms
Cox's Bazar Correspondent
In a major crackdown on organized crime, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested Imam Hossain Mintu (38), the notorious leader of the criminal syndicate known as 'Mintu Bahini,' in a special operation in Moheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of a significant cache of illegal firearms, ammunition, and weapon-making equipment.
Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, Media Officer of the Coast Guard Headquarters informed this on Friday afternoon.
Acting on intelligence, a coordinated task force involving Coast Guard personnel from Shahpori, Teknaf, Baharchara, Inani, Cox’s Bazar, and Moheshkhali stations launched a raid at 6:00 AM today. The team combed through the deep forests adjacent to Keruntali in Hoanak, Moheshkhali, where the syndicate had established an illegal workshop for manufacturing firearms intended for distribution across the country.
During the search, the Coast Guard recovered five homemade single-barrel guns, nine homemade pistols, one foreign pistol magazine, twenty rounds of live ammunition, sixteen cartridges of various types, one additional homemade weapon, three liters of homemade liquor, and various tools used for manufacturing firearms. Imam Hossain Mintu, a resident of Hoanak, Moheshkhali, has long been identified as the mastermind behind 'Mintu Bahini,' a gang notorious for arms trafficking, piracy, armed robbery, and attacks on tourists. Mintu is currently facing 15 criminal cases. Authorities believe that his arrest marks a significant blow to the illegal arms trade that has been terrorizing local fishermen and salt farmers in the coastal region.
The Coast Guard stated that the arrest of Mintu is a major step toward ensuring safer seas for the local fishing communities. Intelligence surveillance and patrolling activities have been intensified in the area to locate and apprehend the remaining members of the gang. The process of taking legal action against the arrested terrorist and processing the seized evidence is currently underway.
The press release reiterated that the Bangladesh Coast Guard maintains a "zero-tolerance" policy against piracy and organized crime.
Following their success in the Sundarbans, the force remains committed to expanding intelligence-driven operations in Moheshkhali and other coastal regions to completely eradicate terrorism, robbery, and illegal arms production.
