In a major security operation, Bangladesh’s Armed Police Battalion (APBN) arrested the Deputy Chief of the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) and two other members in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. The arrest took place on the night of March 8 at Camp 8E in Balukhali One, Ukhiya, amid growing concerns over armed groups and drug smuggling networks operating within the camps.

The arrested individuals include Mohammad Ayub, also known as Mohammed Nur, who holds the position of Deputy Chief in the ARA. He was detained alongside Mohammad Salaam and a relative of Nobi Hussein, the military chief of ARA. The security forces apprehended them around 10 PM and transported them to the 8th Armed Police Battalion headquarters in Camp 9, Ukhiya, for further interrogation.

According to sources, after the arrests, ARA members attempted to negotiate Ayub’s release by offering a bribe of 1 million Bangladeshi Taka (equivalent to 10 million Myanmar Kyat). However, APBN officials refused to comply and proceeded with their detention.

The Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) is widely known within the Rohingya refugee camps for its involvement in armed violence, extortion, and drug smuggling. Security officials and local sources have repeatedly linked the group to the illegal trafficking of yaba tablets, a highly addictive methamphetamine drug that flows from Myanmar into Bangladesh. The group allegedly operates a well-organized network, smuggling large quantities of drugs across the border and distributing them within Bangladesh.

Authorities have expressed concern that armed groups like ARA not only engage in drug trafficking but also fuel instability and violent clashes among different factions in the camps. Their activities have contributed to deteriorating security conditions, making the camps increasingly dangerous for ordinary Rohingya refugees.

On the same night as the arrests, a violent confrontation erupted between ARA and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), another armed group operating within the camps. During the clash, a physically disabled Rohingya individual was shot and killed. The gunfight took place in Camp 8E in Balukhali One, the same location where Ayub and his associates were arrested.

Over the past few years, Bangladesh authorities have intensified security operations against criminal groups and militant factions within the refugee camps. The presence of ARA, RSO, and ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army) has led to numerous incidents of violence, targeted assassinations, kidnappings, and illicit activities, including drug smuggling.

The Bangladeshi government, along with law enforcement agencies like APBN, has been making efforts to curb these activities by increasing security measures, conducting raids, and arresting key figures involved in illegal operations. The latest arrest of ARA’s Deputy Envoy and members marks a significant development in the ongoing crackdown against criminal groups in the camps.

However, despite these efforts, armed groups continue to operate, taking advantage of the refugee crisis and the lack of law enforcement presence in certain areas of the camps. Residents fear further violence and retaliation between rival factions in the coming days, as these groups compete for control over illicit businesses and territorial dominance.

Authorities are expected to continue their investigation into ARA’s operations, particularly its involvement in drug smuggling and armed conflicts. Meanwhile, the arrest of a high-ranking ARA figure like Mohammad Ayub signals a major setback for the group, potentially disrupting its criminal activities in the short term.

For now, Rohingya refugees remain caught in the middle, facing increasing security threats while living in already dire conditions. Many are calling for stronger law enforcement measures to dismantle armed groups and ensure peace within the camps.

However, without a sustainable long-term solution, the cycle of violence, crime, and instability is likely to persist.