RAB says it has arrested the alleged mastermind behind the robbery of Tk 12.125 million from a DL Filling Station cash vehicle near Crown Plaza in Dhaka’s Airport area on August 9. The agency’s Legal and Media Wing Director, Wing Commander M Z M Entekhab Chowdhury, provided the information on Wednesday night. RAB also said it detained 12 people during an operation against alleged public extortion at a fruit market in Kamalpara, under Turag police station.

Armed assailants on three motorcycles stopped the cash-carrying covered van while it was travelling to deposit money at a bank. They allegedly injured filling-station official Mohammad Al Amin with a sharp weapon after he refused to hand over the money, then fled toward Abdullahpur with the cash bag. A case was filed with Airport police station, and law-enforcement agencies collected nearby CCTV footage.

Earlier, the Detective Branch said it arrested five people and recovered Tk 1.2 million, along with fake RAB identity cards, vests, walkie-talkies, handcuffs and firearms. DB said at least eight people were directly involved. RAB did not immediately disclose the newly arrested suspect’s identity, evidence recovered or specific role, saying details would be provided at a Thursday briefing.