Police arrested three people and seized a large cache of locally made weapons and other equipment during a special drive at Link Road adjacent to the Baitul Mukarram Gold Market in the capital on Thursday.
The arrestees were identified as Robiul Islam, 40, Md Azad, 30, and Md Rajan, 34.
Harun Or Rashid, deputy commissioner of the Motijheel Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said the operation was launched to curb the illegal sale of sharp weapons used in muggings, violent crimes and other criminal activities in the capital.
During the raid, police recovered a total of 464 weapons and related items, including machetes, large knives, switchblade knives, combat knives, electric stun guns, Chinese axes, baton sticks and toy pistols designed to resemble real firearms.
According to preliminary interrogation, the seized weapons and equipment had been stockpiled for sale to individuals involved in criminal activities across different parts of the capital.