DACCA: Martial Law authorities in East Pakistan have unearthed a highly organised gang of smugglers and foreign exchange racketeers which has been operating in both Wings of Pakistan for the last few years, it was learnt here today [June 9]. A number of arrests have been made in this connection at Dacca, Chittagong and Karachi. More arrests are likely to be carried out in the near future.

On receipt of secret information the first raids were carried out at mid-night of May 22, 1969 simultaneously in Dacca and Chittagong. Foreign goods worth Rs 3 to 4 lakhs were recovered from the godown of a transport company. A large portion of these goods is suspected to be smuggled.

… Sixteen persons were taken into custody … On interrogation and scrutiny of records, considerable details came to light, and on indication by one ‘Sattar Mama’, an important member of the gang, smuggled Japanese superior cloth valuing over Rs 30,000 has been recovered from a hidden godown in Narayanganj. Subsequently some more persons were arrested … According to information available, the master-mind of this gang is one Haji Sattar of Karachi who has since been arrested. He is reported to have established business centres in Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Karachi, Dacca and Chittagong.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2019