From police informant to drug trafficker: The rise of Picchi Raja
Raja alias 'Picchhi Raja'. Collected photo.
Born in 1999 in the Geneva Camp of Mohammadpur, Dhaka, Raja grew up in House 177 of Block A within the camp, where he gradually gained notoriety under the alias "Pichi Raja."
According to a police source, Raja became entangled in criminal activities during his adolescence in 2014, aligning himself with Ishtiaq, a top drug kingpin operating in the camp. Exploiting his presence in the crime-prone neighborhood, he simultaneously began working as a police informant. He briefly worked at a gas station in the capital, but after losing that job following an incident, he returned full-time to the drug peddling.
Police records indicate that Raja was arrested during an anti-narcotics drive at Geneva Camp in 2018, leading to his first official case involving 51 pieces of Yaba. After spending nearly two months in prison, he secured bail and expanded his narcotics operations.
Following the death of his mentor Ishtiaq from COVID-19 in 2020, Raja assumed control over a major portion of the camp's drug trade. Over time, he established a supply network sourcing narcotics directly from Teknaf to distribute within the camp.
Following August 5, 2024, territorial disputes intensified between Pichi Raja and several rival factions, including a group led by Buniya Sohel. Clashes erupted repeatedly over the control of drug hotspots, the appointment of local extortion linesmen, and revenue collection, resulting in at least 10 deaths.
On May 19 of this year, police arrested Pichi Raja at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his arrival in Dhaka from Nepal. During interrogation, he disclosed to police that following August 5, leading camp terrorists sought to establish their own dominant "kingdoms," igniting the series of homicides.
In addition to drug trafficking, Pichi Raja faces allegations of amassing significant illicit wealth. Police sources report that he owns substantial movable and immovable assets, including flats and land plots across various areas of the capital. He is also accused of controlling a CNG-run auto-rickshaw extortion syndicate in Mohammadpur.
To enforce his authority and attack rivals, Raja built his own armed gang. Members of his group manage drug logistics, collect extortion money, occupy territory, and intimidate opponents.
At 27 years old, Raja faces more than 30 criminal cases covering narcotics, illegal firearms, murder, and attempted murder. Mohammadpur Police Station alone accounts for 25 of these cases, comprising three murder charges, seven attempted murder charges, four explosives charges, and 13 narcotics offenses.
Escape from Prison Van
Raja had been in prison following his arrest at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on May 19. On September 27, he was transported from Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur to a court in Dhaka via a prison van for a hearing. While returning to prison after the court appearance, he managed to escape from the police custody vehicle.
Following the incident, five police officers—including Sub-Inspector (SI) Prabir Kumar, who was escorting Raja to court, and prison van driver Kamal Hossain—were temporarily suspended from duty on charges of negligence. Several police personnel have already been arrested in connection with the escape.
Describing the sequence of events, police revealed that a private car had been stationed in advance near the Popular Diagnostic Centre in Tantibazar to facilitate Pichi Raja's escape. Inside the vehicle were Raja's sister and another woman dressed in a burqa. SI Prabir Kumar reportedly escorted Pichi Raja safely into that car.
After the car departed safely with Pichi Raja, SI Prabir traveled by alternative transport to the Baimail area of Gazipur Metropolitan, where he reboarded the prison van. Police confirmed that SI Prabir had communicated with Raja's sister via WhatsApp 13 times on that day.
Meanwhile, a court granted a four-day remand for SI Prabir Kumar, prison van driver Nayek Kamal Hossain, and Pichi Raja's sister Taslima following their arrest. Interrogation is scheduled to begin on Thursday.
Inspector Syed Md. Mizanur Islam of Gazipur Metropolitan Detective Branch, the investigating officer of the case, told Agamir Somoy: "The defendants will be interrogated to determine if any financial transactions occurred to facilitate Pichi Raja's escape, and if so, the amount involved. The full details surrounding the escape will be uncovered through interrogation and investigation."
He added that police have already recovered Tk 60,000 in cash following raiding the residence of the prison van driver, Kamal.
