Rapid Action Battalion arrested a businessman -- Monir Hossain, known as "Golden Monir" -- from his Badda residence in Dhaka earlier today on charges of possessing illegal firearms and drugs.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rab carried out a drive at his Merul Badda residence around midnight, said Lt Col Ashique Billah, director of Rab's Legal and Media wing.
The team recovered foreign currencies of 10 countries worth around Tk 9 lakh, 600 tola of gold ornaments, Tk 1.09 crore in cash and five SUVs during the drive.
The arrestee amassed wealth worth over Tk 1,050 crore through forging Rajuk documents, gold smuggling and other crimes, Lt Col Ashique Billah said following the arrest.
Monir owns at least 200 plots in Badda, Nikunja, Keraniganj and other areas, he added.
"During primary interrogation, Monir admitted to owning 30 plots," Ashique Billah told reporters.
Rab said they began the drive last night at Monir's six-storey building and an automobile shop and recovered huge stash of gold ornaments, foreign currency, illegal arms and alcohol.
According to the Rab official, Monir started working as a salesman in Dhaka's Gausia Market in the 1990s. He later started his own "luggage business" -- bringing in undeclared merchandise in luggage to dodge tax. Gradually, he got involved in gold smuggling.
"He smuggled huge amount of gold into Bangladesh, and people started calling him 'Golden Monir'," the Rab official said.
"He is also a land grabber. He has amassed substantial wealth in collusion with some unscrupulous officials of Rajuk," Ashique Billah said.
Monir has already been accused in at least two cases including for forging signature of a Rajuk official. Rab will file at least three more cases for possessing firearms, illegal foreign liquor and foreign currency.
He will be brought to Rab-3 office for interrogation. Rab will conduct drive if he names his patrons and associates during interrogation, Rab said.
Rab said they would also write to Anti-Corruption Commission, National Board of Revenue and BRTA to start investigations against him.
