Police move to dismantle Sazzad’s three tier network

“Everything of Sazzad Bhai’s is auto maal (extreme and one track minded). Hundreds of Raihans like me are lying in his store.” “I have no enmity with any brother from the general public, administration or media. I have no competition with anyone. Finally, I want to say one thing. Instead of repeatedly chanting Raihan Raihan in the media, first find out those through whom Raihan is created.”

Police have taken notice of these two Facebook posts made on August 17 and 21 by Raihan Alam of Raozan in Chattogram who is on the police’s most wanted or top criminal list.

Police have begun working with Raihan’s statements and information obtained from recently arrested “top criminals” David Emon and Mobarak Hossain alias “Golakata” Mobarak alias “Kala” Mobarak.

Law enforcement officials said Sazzad Ali Khan alias Bara Sazzad who is absconding abroad is the “godfather” of Chattogram’s notorious criminal network. There is no ambiguity about this. Even while staying outside the country his sphere of influence has not been completely dismantled. Rather the network remains active and operational at the field level through armed associates such as David Emon, Raihan and the Mobaraks.

Sazzad now uses a passport under the name Abdullah after changing his identity. Police have begun collecting information on how and through what strategy he is staying outside the country.

Chattogram Police Superintendent Masud Alam said, “After speaking with several people who were arrested, I understood that Bara Sazzad controls everything in the criminal world here. He is trying to do whatever he wants while remaining beyond reach abroad. Now it is essential for us to reach him. How we will do that will be decided after discussions with those at the policy making level. There is no reason to think that Sazzad will remain beyond reach simply because he is abroad. Whether he stays abroad or in the sky if the state wants it can bring him back.”

The three tier structure of Bara Sazzad

On July 28 Mobarak Hossain Emon alias David Emon was arrested in the Jhikargachha border area of Jashore. On August 26 “Kala” Mobarak was arrested from Fatikchhari with several weapons.

Police officials said that following the arrests of David Emon and Mobarak they now have a picture of the “three tier structure” of the criminal network of Bara Sazzad who is staying abroad.

One group carries out Bara Sazzad’s plans and instructions. Another group directly takes part in attacks or uses weapons. Others remain around the scene of an incident and provide assistance.