A senior police officer was removed from his assignment at Police Headquarters on Tuesday after detectives uncovered an alleged drug-party operation at his rented-out house in the capital’s Bhatara area, detaining around 85 people and recovering several types of narcotics.
The discovery was made at a property owned by Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdullah Al Zahir, located within Police Officers’ Housing Society‑1 near the 300‑feet road.
The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police raided the three-storey building around midnight on Monday following information that the premises were being used for drug-related gatherings.
Investigators reported recovering crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, yaba tablets, cannabis, a potent variety of cannabis known as kush, alcohol, shisha and drug-consumption paraphernalia.
Police said 26 women were among those detained.
The raid was followed by an administrative order on Tuesday transferring Additional DIG Zahir from the Maintenance and Repair branch of Police Headquarters to another assignment at headquarters, with immediate effect.
The reassignment came amid scrutiny of the property’s ownership and management, although police have not announced any criminal charge against Zahir.
Regular drug parties
According to DB officials, the property had been rented out through online accommodation platforms and was being used for gatherings involving drug consumption and DJ parties.
DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Md Shafiqul Islam confirmed the operation, saying detectives from the Uttara division conducted the raid after receiving information about illegal activities at the premises.
He said the house belonged to Additional DIG Zahir but had been rented to other individuals.
“The Additional DIG had rented out the house online. The tenants used the property for drug-related activities,” Shafiqul told media.
Police said the detainees included people of different ages who had gathered at the property.
Legal proceedings against those found involved in offences were being initiated, the DB chief said.
Elias Kabir, deputy commissioner of the DB’s Uttara division, said the house was rented through Airbnb and managed by a host and a co-host.
He identified Mahbubul Alam as the co-host and confirmed that he was among those detained.
Investigators have not yet disclosed how long the alleged drug-related activities had been taking place, who organised the gatherings or whether the property’s owner had any knowledge of them.
Additional DIG reassigned
Following the raid, Police Headquarters issued an order changing Zahir’s assignment.
The officer had been serving in the Maintenance and Repair branch.
Under the new order, he was attached to another branch at Police Headquarters, effective immediately.
The administrative action came within hours of the discovery of narcotics at the property.
However, the available official accounts do not establish that the reassignment was a disciplinary punishment or that the officer was personally involved in the alleged offences.
Police have also not disclosed whether a separate inquiry will examine the owner’s knowledge of the activities, the management of the rental property or any possible negligence.
‘How can a landlord know what tenants do?’
Responding to the controversy, Additional DIG Zahir told an online news portal that the house was listed on Airbnb and another accommodation platform called Traveller.
He said the property, which has a small courtyard of approximately two kathas, was also rented for social events, including birthday celebrations and “gaye holud” ceremonies.
The officer maintained that the rental listings explicitly prohibited illegal activities, drugs and alcohol and provided for financial penalties in the event of violations.
“We have strict rules in place, which include provisions for fines should any illegal activities, drugs, or alcohol be discovered on the premises,” he said.
He also claimed that renters were repeatedly warned against violating those conditions.
Zahir questioned whether a landlord could reasonably be held responsible for crimes committed by tenants without the owner’s knowledge.
“Suppose you own a flat in Dhaka and rent it out to someone. If that person engages in criminal activity behind your back, the responsibility for that crime lies with them, not the landlord,” he said.
He argued that a property owner could take action, including blacklisting or evicting tenants, only after learning about such activities.
The DB has not said whether the alleged drug parties were organised by the same individuals or whether the property was regularly advertised for such events.
Nor have investigators established whether the property owner had any prior complaints or warnings about the premises.