950kg horse meat seized in Jamalpur, five detained

Photo: CNI

Police have seized around 950 kilograms of horse meat from a pickup truck in Narundi Bazar of Jamalpur Sadar upazila and detained five people, including the vehicle’s driver.

The incident took place around 4am on Sunday (August 23) in the Narundi Chawk Bazar area. Acting on a tip-off, a police team from the Narundi Investigation Centre conducted a raid under the direction of its officer-in-charge Md Nazmul Haque. The operation was led by ASI Nizami, with assistance from local residents.

According to police and local sources, the horse meat was being transported by pickup from Mirapur Ghat in Narundi to Jatrabari in Dhaka. Police intercepted the vehicle in the Narundi Chawk Bazar area and recovered 18 sacks of meat weighing approximately 950kg.

The detained individuals were identified as Md Jewel, son of Ramzan Ali; Shahid Mia, son of Nurul Islam; Afzal Mia, son of Abul Hossain; Humayun, son of Mokbul Hossain; and Russell Mia, son of Amir Hossain. They are reportedly from different areas, including Jamalpur, Tangail, Shariatpur and Dhaka.

According to police, the meat was being transported for sale at various hotels in Dhaka. Police said they had not previously received information about the same group transporting meat in this manner.

A mobile court was later conducted against the detained individuals. Three of them were sentenced to six months in prison each, while the pickup driver and helper were sentenced to two months each. The court also imposed a total fine of Tk 101,000.

Jamalpur Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Emon Hossain conducted the mobile court.

Md Nazmul Haque, officer-in-charge of the Narundi Investigation Centre, said the group had been involved in the business for a long time.

“We had conducted several operations at different locations to catch them, but the group managed to flee after sensing our presence. Last night, we received information that a pickup was loading meat at Mirapur Ghat around 4am. We took position at Narundi Bazar and intercepted the vehicle,” he said.

He added that an investigation is underway to determine the source of the meat and gather information about others involved in the business.