DHAKA, Sept 3, 2026 (BSS) - Four alleged members of an armed drug trafficking gang have been arrested in connection with a gunfight between two rival groups over control of drug dealing in the capital's Swamibagh area. 

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Wari Division, arrested the four from a construction site in Mir Hajirbagh area of Gandaria late Wednesday night.

The arrested are Farid Bepari, 23, Md Sabuj, 22, Shahadat Hossain Alif, 18, and Rifat Hossain, 19.

Police recovered two foreign-made 7.65mm pistols, two magazines, two rounds of ammunition, a switchgear knife, a locally made sharp-edged knife and 160 yaba tablets from their possession. The seized yaba is estimated to be worth around Tk 48,000.

At a news briefing held at the DMP Media Centre on Mintoo Road, DB Chief Md Shafiqul Islam said the arrests were made after analysing CCTV footage and conducting intelligence operations to identify the armed drug traders allegedly involved in the Swamibagh shooting.

He said the DB would continue its operations to identify and arrest the other people involved in the incident and recover illegal firearms and other weapons.

According to police, a gunfight broke out between two groups at Munshirteak in Swamibagh, Gandaria, between around 7:00pm and 7:30pm on August 30 over establishing dominance and control over drug trafficking in the area. Three people, including pedestrians and shopkeepers, sustained bullet injuries during the incident.

Following the incident, Gandaria police, along with the DB Wari Division, launched a shadow investigation and began analysing CCTV footage to identify those involved and trace the weapons used.

Based on intelligence and CCTV footage, a DB team conducted a raid at around 11:10pm on Wednesday at the ground floor of an under-construction building of Israt Construction in Para No. 8, Mir Hajirbagh, on the Dholaipar-Dayaganj road, and arrested the four suspects.

During a search, police found a 7.65mm foreign-made pistol, a steel magazine and two rounds of ammunition tucked into Farid Bepari's waist. Police also recovered 160 yaba tablets from his trouser pocket.

A second 7.65mm foreign-made pistol and a steel magazine were recovered from Sabuj.

A switchgear knife was recovered from Alif, while Rifat was found carrying a locally made, curved, sharp-edged knife with a wooden handle.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted to being active members of an organised gang involved in illegal arms possession, criminal activities and drug trading. 

Police said they had gone into hiding at different locations after their images appeared in CCTV footage of the August 30 gunfight and display of local weapons in Swamibagh.

A case has been filed against the four under the Arms Act with Jatrabari Police Station.

The DB said its intelligence activities and operations are continuing to arrest the other suspects linked to the incident.