Sylhet, Bangladesh: The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-9) has seized more than 600 bottles of foreign liquor and beer during a raid on a residential house in the Baluchar area of Sylhet Metropolitan City.
According to RAB, the preliminary market value of the recovered alcoholic beverages exceeds Tk 5 million.
The operation was carried out at around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday following intelligence reports at a house near Baluchar New Bazar in Ward No. 36 of Sylhet city.
Officials said a special operational team from RAB-9 CPC-1 recovered a large quantity of imported liquor and beer from a storeroom on the ground floor of the house.
Although the exact number of bottles has yet to be confirmed, RAB said an initial count indicates that more than 600 bottles of foreign liquor were seized. The recovered stock includes several internationally recognized brands, with an estimated market value exceeding Tk 5 million.
During the preliminary investigation, RAB identified Abu Sattar, the younger brother of an expatriate who is responsible for overseeing the house, as the primary suspect. Authorities alleged that the liquor was stored under his supervision and distributed to various locations.
He has been named as the main accused in the case.
During the raid, RAB also detained two drivers along with a CNG-run auto-rickshaw. Investigators are examining whether they were involved in the alleged operation. Legal action will be taken if their involvement is established.
Speaking after the operation, Major Sadman, Company Commander of RAB-9 CPC-1, said the raid was conducted based on intelligence information, leading to the recovery of a substantial quantity of foreign liquor and beer from the house's ground-floor storeroom.
"The counting process is still underway, but preliminary estimates suggest that more than 600 bottles have been recovered. The exact number will be announced after the inventory is completed," he said.
Major Sadman added that the estimated market value of the seized liquor exceeds Tk 5 million, although the final valuation will be determined after a complete assessment.
He further stated that the house had been operating as a secret liquor warehouse in a residential neighborhood. Intelligence agencies had been tracking information about large consignments of imported liquor for a long time but had been unable to locate the storage facility until now.
RAB said the seized items would be handed over to the concerned police station after completing the required legal procedures, and appropriate legal action would be taken against those found responsible.
