Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) authorities yesterday suspended a staffer over stealing government medicine from the hospital.

The suspended staffer, Ashu Chakraborty (32), is an office assistant at CMCH, said CMCH director Brig Gen Shamim Ahsan.

Police recovered government medicine worth Tk 3.5 lakh, after searching a house near CMCH, which a gang used as a store for keeping stolen medicine from CMCH, said Arafatur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police.

Director Shamim said after searching a bag the two were carrying, police recovered government medicine that were supplied to the hospital for patients.

"We suspended Ashu, while Syed is an outsider," he said, adding that police were taking legal action against both.

Contacted, Jahedul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Panchlaish Police Station, said during primary investigation, police came to know that a nexus consisting of CMCH staff members and outsiders used to steal government medicine worth Tk 15,000 to Tk 20,000 from different wards every day to sell them to medicine shops near Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

"We have identified the nexus and are trying to arrest the other members," he said.