Joint Forces Raid Geneva Camp, Arrest 32 With Arms, Drugs

In a major anti-crime drive, joint forces of the Bangladesh Army and police arrested at least 32 people and recovered a large cache of crude bombs, weapons, and drugs during a four-hour raid at Geneva Camp in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur on Saturday evening.

Raid details

The operation began at 5:00 pm and continued until 9:00 pm, focusing primarily on Block 7 of the camp—an area long known to law enforcement as a hotspot for narcotics trade and organised crime.

According to officials, a significant haul of heroin, eight crude bombs, bomb-making equipment, petrol bombs, and sharp weapons were seized from the hideout of notorious drug dealer Buniya Sohel, considered one of the top ringleaders in the camp.

A bomb disposal unit was deployed to neutralise the explosives, which were safely defused by around 8:00 pm, preventing potential attacks.

Official statement

Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Md Rafiq Ahmed confirmed the arrests and recovery.

“Our special anti-narcotics operation in Geneva Camp is ongoing. Today’s raid resulted in the recovery of a large number of crude bombs, petrol bombs, sharp weapons, and drugs. A total of 32 individuals were arrested, and further operations will be conducted inside the camp to dismantle these criminal networks,” he said.

Crime nexus exposed

Sources said that under Buniya Sohel’s leadership, the Geneva Camp had turned into a hub of drug trafficking, illegal arms trading, and violent crime. For years, the camp has been under watch for alleged links to criminal gangs operating across Dhaka.

Law enforcement agencies reported that criminal activities—including attacks on rivals, extortion, and intimidation—were being coordinated from within the camp. The discovery of bomb-making materials has heightened concerns that the network may have been planning larger acts of violence.

Ongoing operations

Officials revealed that Saturday’s raid was part of a wider crackdown on crime and narcotics in the capital. The authorities have stepped up surveillance and intelligence-gathering in the Geneva Camp area following recent attacks and escalating criminal activities.

Joint forces have vowed to continue operations until the networks are dismantled and their leaders are arrested.

“Such criminal activities not only spread drugs in society but also pose a direct threat to public safety. We will not allow these groups to destabilise the community,” said a senior law enforcement officer on condition of anonymity.

Community impact

Residents of Mohammadpur expressed relief at the crackdown, saying the area had been under the grip of drug dealers and armed gangs for years. Locals reported that young people in and around the camp often fell victim to addiction and criminal recruitment.

“Everyday life here has been unsafe for too long. These criminals openly carried weapons and intimidated people. We welcome the raid and hope the authorities will continue such drives,” said a resident of Block 7, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal.

The Geneva Camp background

The Geneva Camp, originally established in 1971 for stranded Pakistanis, has since developed into a densely populated settlement in Dhaka. While thousands of families live there peacefully, law enforcement has long identified certain sections of the camp as havens for organised crime due to its crowded nature and complex socio-political issues.

Over the years, multiple drives have been conducted in the camp, but residents and security experts argue that without sustained operations, rehabilitation programmes, and strong community engagement, the area remains vulnerable to criminal resurgence.

Looking ahead

Saturday’s raid marks one of the largest joint operations in recent years at Geneva Camp. Authorities say investigations are underway to identify further links of those arrested to larger criminal networks in Dhaka and beyond.

For now, law enforcement agencies have assured that they will continue their coordinated efforts to curb drug trafficking, recover illegal arms, and restore safety to the neighbourhood.