Mohammad Selim Ashrafi, infamously known as “Chora Selim,” a notorious criminal and alleged drug kingpin of the Geneva Camp area in the city’s Mohammadpur, was arrested early Thursday in a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) operation.

The arrest follows months of intelligence surveillance carried out by RAB-2 within its jurisdiction.

Selim, 44, is accused of masterminding a drug syndicate that has dominated the Geneva Camp area for years. His alleged criminal empire extended beyond drug trafficking to include murder, theft, extortion, and violent clashes.

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He faces a staggering 35 criminal cases filed across various Dhaka police stations, including charges of murder and violations under the Narcotics Control Act.

The Geneva Camp area has reportedly been under Selim's control.

In an effort to restore peace in the Geneva Camp and surrounding localities, RAB-2 intensified its intelligence-gathering efforts against Selim. Acting on actionable intelligence, a specialized RAB-2 team conducted a pre-dawn raid on Thursday and apprehended Selim, said Assistant Superintendent of Police Khan Asif Topu, also Assistant Director (Media) of RAB-2. He emphasized that the operation was part of an ongoing effort to dismantle organized criminal networks in the area.

Selim is expected to face swift legal proceedings. Authorities expressed hope that his arrest will mark a turning point for the Geneva Camp region, helping to curb the rampant drug trade and restore law and order.