Police have arrested the alleged mastermind of a gang involved in selling horse meat as beef from Anarpura bus stand in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj district on Friday.

The arrestee is Md Rajib Sikdar, 34, son of Ruhul Amin Sikdar Babul of Anarpura village under Bhoberchar union.

At a press briefing held on Friday, Md Minhajul Alam, Superintendent of Munshiganj, said police conducted a drive in Gazaria and parts of Gazipur district on Thursday and arrested four members of the gang.

They were Rubel, 39 of Kalkini in Madaripur district, Saurav, 21 of Naogaon district and Sohel Gazi, 21 and Yasin Arafat, 21, from Tongi in Gazipur district.

Police said the arrestees confessed that there were 10 horses at an abandoned house—nine of which had already been slaughtered—while one sick horse was rescued alive.

Md Hasan Ali, Officer-in-Charge of Gazaria Police Station said the gang was led by Rajib and Titas.

“So far, five people including Rajib have been arrested in connection with the incident. Efforts are underway to arrest Titas,” he added.

On April 8, police recovered 12 slaughtered horses and one live horse from an abandoned house in Anarpura village.

Police said the group had been selling horse meat as beef for a long time.