How a couple amasses huge wealth through crimes

The arrest of couple Shamima Nur Papiya and Mofizur Rahman has led the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to discover a huge amount of assets including multiple houses and cars under the couple's possession.

The elite force arrested the couple from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday.

Based on the information provided during the interrogation, the RAB conducted drives in several areas in Narsingdi and Dhaka.

Lieutenant Colonel Shafiullah Bulbul, commanding officer of Rab-1, confirmed this at a press conference held on Sunday.

The couple owned two flats in Farmgate, two flats and two Tk2 crore-plot in Narsingdi, four luxury cars, a showroom named "Car Exchange", and investment worth Tk40 lakhs in an organisation in Narsingdi named KMC Car wash and Auto Solution, among others, without having any specific job.  

At the couple's Farmgate flat, the RAB recovered an illegal foreign pistol, two magazines, 20 rounds of bullets, five bottles of foreign liquor, Tk58.41 lakh in cash, five passports, three chequebooks, 10 visa and ATM cards of various banks and some foreign currencies.

Besides, they also have numerous bank accounts under their and others' names. 

According to the RAB, the couple has spent Tk81,42,888 on bills at the Hotel Westin between October 12, 2019, and February 13, 2020.

They had also spent Tk2.5 lakh each night after privately hiring the hotel's bar. 

The couple failed to explain the sources of all their money. However, the RAB has found some information in this regard after an initial investigation.

"Papiya and her husband were involved in illegal arms and alcohol business, extortion, and fraud," Lieutenant Colonel Shafiullah Bulbul said.

They were also involved in forcing women to participate in immoral activities under the pretext of getting them a job. The women would be subject to physical and mental abuse if they refused, he added.

The RAB also added that the couple operated a gang named "Q and C", whose members sported a tattoo on their hands, and always carried firearms with them. They had two Hiace cars and five motorcycles with which they would conduct their criminal activities.

The RAB has said they are trying to arrest them.

An arms, drugs and money laundering case has been filed against the couple with Airport Police Station. 

Additionally, Jubo Mohila League on Sunday expelled Shamima Nur Papiya from its party for her involvement in unlawful activities.