There were rumours that something shady was going on in the area but no one was sure about it.

After all, the entire premises -- a hilly area at port city's Akbar Shah -- was not only fenced but also heavily guarded with two iron gates at the entrance.

There was also a signboard saying the locality was named "Gousiya City".

Inside were multiple buildings, tin-shed houses, saw mills, cattle and chicken farms, a mosque, madrasa, and graveyard while construction of several buildings were underway.

Besides, roads were made flattening hills and there were stairs leading to the hilltop. No one was allowed to go in or out without permission.

All these were built by one Nur Alam, locally known as Nuru, who lived on a hilltop inside the premises -- from where he oversaw his "operations".

So, what did this 30-year-old do for a living?

Nuru is allegedly involved in drugs and firearms smuggling. He also smuggles logs. Not only has he been involved in these illegal activities for a long time, but also right under the nose of the administration by grabbing the hill -- that too a government land.

The hill is known as Nachia Ghona Pahar of Purba Firoj Shah Colony.

HOW IT CAME TO LIGHT

On December 26 last year, being informed that drug trafficking was going on in the area, Akbar Shah police conducted a drive there.

However, when they reached the iron gates, they were attacked by over 100 accomplices of Nuru, forcing law enforcers to leave the area, according to police sources .

"During the attack, we had to open fire to save ourselves. They were also throwing rocks at us from the hills. We were able to arrest one of Nuru's cohorts from the spot," said Jahir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Akbar Shah Police Station.

Law enforcers reinforced and returned a few days later. "We raided the area on Wednesday and arrested 12 persons in an overnight drive. We also arrested the wife of Nuru's second-in-command with lethal weapons and yaba," the OC added.

"Weapons, machetes and 1,150 yaba tablets were seized from the arrestees' possession. The prime accused Nuru is on the run. We are conducting drives to arrest him," he added.

'A YOUTH WITH CONNECTIONS'

Interestingly, locals seemed to be quite oblivious of Nuru's illegal activities and thought of him as a person who was well-connected.

He was frequently seen with the former councillor of the area and several political leaders, they said.

According to police, Nuru has been operating his criminal activities with blessings from local leaders. After grabbing the hill, he established his "empire" there and conducted his operations, they said.

Nuru's brother Jane Alam is the second-in-command in his criminal activities. Alam's wife Beauty Begum was arrested along with 11 others, said police.

'HE MUST'VE HAD HELP'

Talking to The Daily Star, Arif Hossen, assistant commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (Pahartali zone), said "It's not possible for Nuru to grab the hill all by himself. He must have had assistance or political shelter."

"We heard that he has close ties with some influential persons… we are verifying the information," he added.

"However, it's the matter of the Department of Environment and Forest Department to take steps against Nuru for grabbing and destroying the hills," said the assistant commissioner.

Contacted, Nurullah Nuri, DoE Chattogram director (metro unit), said, "We have already spoken to law enforcers regarding the matter and have filed a case against him [Nuru]."

'CONVICTED, YET NO ONE KNEW'

Interestingly, this was not the first time Nur Alam alias Nuru's illegal activities came to the fore.

He has been an accused in at least 24 cases with different police stations. But Nuru seemed to remain unfazed by those and go on with his illegal activities while law enforcers "continue their drives" to arrest him.

Even in 2017, a court in Chattogram sentenced him to 17 years in prison in a case filed with Akbar Shah Police Station over the recovery of firearms.

However, police said they were yet to receive any conviction warrant in this regard. After the recent incident, police came to know about it.

"We are looking into it and are communicating with the court in this regard," said OC Jahir.

Even the court seemed to be baffled as to what happened with the warrant. According to court sources, they are now planning to issue a new conviction warrant against Nuru.