A gold trader who allegedly went into hiding with gold and money after leaving his shop was detained along with his wife and children from a house in Patiya upazila of Chattogram on Friday.

The detainee was identified as Pintu Das, 45, owner of SK Jewellers and Shilpaloy at Akhand Market on Kumalia Road in Chandpur town.

Police said Pintu had been in hiding for the past 9-10 days. He allegedly left his shop with gold and money and went into hiding, raising concerns among local people and those who had financial dealings with him.

Faiz Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station, said several complaints were lodged against Pintu and his family over alleged embezzlement of gold and silver.

“Several people also came to the police station today to file complaints against him for allegedly taking gold and money,” he told UNB.

Meanwhile, on August 19, around 10am, landlord Rasel Khan went to look for Pintu after becoming concerned about his whereabouts. He found the door of the house locked.

Rasel later called Pintu’s mobile phone, but it was switched off. He searched for him by contacting people in the area but could not find any trace of him.

He subsequently filed a general diary (GD) with Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station.

Following the GD, Chandpur Model Police Station and Detective Branch (DB) of police launched an operation to trace Pintu on the instructions of Superintendent of Police Md Mizanur Rahman.

Acting on information, a team of Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station conducted an operation at a house in Patiya early Friday and detained Pintu along with his wife Rimi and their children.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crimes and Operations) Md Lutfar Rahman said further legal procedures were underway.

Police said preliminary investigation found that Pintu’s home district is Chattogram.