The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police has arrested Enamul Haque Enu, his brother Rupon Bhuiyan and their associate Sheikh Sunny Mostafa in Keraniganj, Dhaka, for their alleged link with casino businesses.
TheCID also seized 12 mobile phones and Tk40 lakh from their possession.
The three were captured during separate drives conducted by a team from the CID’s Organised Crime Unit in Dhaka’s Keraniganj area on Monday morning.
The CID’s Deputy Inspector General (Organized Crime Unit) Imtiaz Ahmed, confirming the arrest of the three men, told Dhaka Tribune that Enamul and Rupon were trying to escape the country with counterfeit passports, following an anti-casino raid.
He made the disclosure at a press briefing at around 2pm on Monday. The police's high official also said that Enamul Haque Enu has been the director of Dhaka Wanderers Club and vice-president of the Awami League's Gandaria unit, while his brother Rupom Bhuiyan is the joint general secretary for the same area.
Imtiaz Ahmed said that at least four cases had been filed against the brothers, for their alleged ties to illegal casino business in Dhaka, money laundering and corruption.
Replying to a question, the CID official said Enamul and Rupon fled to Cox’s Bazar - dodging arrest - following the government's crackdown on illegal casino business and the raiding of their house in Gandaria.
The duo had tried to escape to Malaysia, by attempting a sea voyage through the Bay of Bengal. However, they backed down due to unavoidable circumstances. Then they returned to Keraniganj, he added.
Later, the two brothers rented a place in Keraniganj, with the help of a staff member of their own business. They had since been staying there and had tried to get fake passports.
They planned to flee to Nepal through Indian territory, by using fake passports. However, they were apprehended before they could run away, said DIG Imtiaz.
He also said that the two Awami League leaders have 22 properties altogether in Dhaka and Tk19.11 crore in their 91 bank accounts. The bank accounts have now been blocked.
Asked about the source of the money of Enamul and Rupon, the CID official said it is black money and they used the money for hundi or laundering.
Meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies have still been investigating to determine more of their illegal wealth and assets.
On September 24, 2019, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) seized about Tk5 crore in cash, eight kilograms of gold and six firearms during raids on the residences of the two AL leaders. The duo had been on the run following the crackdown.
