Kolkata, July 11: Kolkata police arrested a Bangladeshi national on Saturday for allegedly running a cross-border syndicate involved in smuggling stolen mobile phones and laptops from Kolkata to Bangladesh.
The accused has been identified as Syed Mohammad Salahuddin, also known as Dollar, from Mamudpur, Dhaka. He claimed to be an import-export businessman in Bangladesh. His passport and medical visa were genuine, and no discrepancies were found in his travel documents.
However, investigators allege that despite having no heart or kidney ailments, he used a fake medical prescription from a Bangladeshi doctor to enter India multiple times. Each time, he rented a house in Haridevpur, a southern suburb of Kolkata, through a broker and allegedly maintained contact with mobile phone thieves and handlers of stolen goods throughout the city.
According to investigators, Dollar primarily stockpiled stolen iPhones and other expensive smartphones at very low prices. He also purchased stolen laptops and other electronic items. Police allege that these devices were later smuggled to Bangladesh, where they were sold at inflated prices through an ongoing network of stolen electronics in Dhaka.
The investigation gained momentum following the arrest of a mobile phone thief in connection with a recent snatching incident. A senior officer from Kolkata police stated that the inquiry began when a man reported that two mobile phones, including an iPhone, were allegedly stolen from his pocket by a youth on Central Avenue in Kolkata.
After the victim filed a complaint at the Bobbazar police station, detectives reviewed CCTV footage. They identified the accused as Mohammad Arbaaz, also known as Vicky, and arrested him.
During interrogation, Vicky revealed that he had sold the stolen phones to a buyer named Dollar. Acting on this lead, detectives began tracking down the suspect involved in acquiring stolen electronics.
Based on information gathered during the investigation, detectives set a trap in Kolkata’s New Market area. Dollar was arrested when he allegedly arrived to collect a new batch of stolen mobile phones. A subsequent search of his rented home in Haridevpur uncovered several mobile phones.
Police stated they are interrogating the accused to identify other members of the cross-border smuggling network. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
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