Police in a drive arrested four people including alleged top criminal of Chattogram Mobarak Hossain Emon alias David Emon from Jhumjhumpur area in Jashore district town early Wednesday during their reported bid to flee to India.

The other arrestees are Al Islam Alif alias Tamal, 25 of Shyampur area in the capital, Md Shamim, 28, of Cumilla district and Shafayet Hossain, 28 of Noakhali district.

Nine teams of DB police and Kotwali Police conducted a drive in the area around 4 am and arrested them, said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Mirajul Islam.

Police said David Emon was the mastermind behind a recent extortion attempt targeting the owner of an Internet Service Provider(ISP) in Chattogram. After the victim refused to pay the demanded amount, the establishment was attacked, vandalised, and looted, prompting police to intensify drive to arrest him.

During preliminary interrogation, the arrestees told investigators that they had planned to cross into India through Jhikargacha border, he said.

All were handed over to Chattogram District Police around 10 am on Wednesday and were later taken to Chattogram under tight security, he added.

Jashore Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam, said the operation was conducted based on intelligence information.

Police also seized a private car from their possession, he said.

Law enforcement agencies describe David Emon, son of Md Musa of Kanchannagar area of Fatikchhari upazila in Chattogram, as one of the most-discussed figures in Chattogram's underworld in recent years.

Police said he had a key role in the criminal group led by ‘top criminal’ Sajjad Ali Khan, also known as "Boro Sajjad," and established dominance in Bayezid Bostami, Panchlaish, Chandgaon, Patenga, Hathazari and Raozan areas of Chattogram.

Police said David Emon was wanted in multiple cases including that of murder, attempted murder, extortion, illegal possession of firearms and criminal activities.