An alleged drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with police at Dhonpur in Cumilla's Sadar upazila yesterday.

The dead is Jamal Haque alias Jambu Mia, 35, of Joynagar village of the same upazila. At least 11 cases were filed against Jambu with different police stations in the district, said police.

Mamun Ur Rashid, officer-in-charge of Sadar South Police Station, claimed they along with detective branch raided the area around 4:00am on information that a large consignment of drugs was about to be passed there.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, group of criminals opened fire, forcing them to retaliate, he added.

At one point, Jambu's bullet-ridden body was found but his gang members managed to escape the scene. Doctors later declared him dead after he was taken to Cumilla Medical College Hospital, the OC further claimed.

The body was sent to CMCH morgue for autopsy.

Police also claimed to have recovered 30 kilogrammes of hemp and 2000 yaba pills from the spot.

The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the police claims.