In a series of coordinated anti-trafficking operations in Teknaf, security forces have rescued 19 individuals and arrested four alleged human traffickers over the weekend.
The crackdown began on Saturday night, led by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Acting on a tip-off, the Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB) conducted two separate raids. The first operation, around 9:30 PM in the Noakhali Para area, resulted in the rescue of eight victims and the arrest of two active members of a trafficking ring: Abu Taher (69) and his wife, Dildar Begum (38). A subsequent raid around 1:30 AM in the South Lombari area led to the rescue of six more victims who were awaiting sea passage, and the arrest of the alleged main trafficker, Mohammad Shafi (32).
According to Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman, Commander of the Teknaf Battalion, the arrested ring had been operating long-term from these areas, luring Bangladeshi nationals with false promises of a better life in Malaysia. The traffickers were also accused of holding their victims captive in hilly areas and attempting to extort ransom money through torture.
In a follow-up operation based on intelligence from previously arrested traffickers, a joint force of the Coast Guard and Navy raided the deep hills near Habirchhara in Teknaf on Saturday night. This operation led to the rescue of five more victims, including four women and one child, and the arrest of another trafficker.
Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, media officer for the Coast Guard, confirmed the details on Sunday. He stated that organized syndicates were involved in tricking both Bangladeshi and Rohingya citizens with promises of high-paying jobs and low-cost travel abroad. The victims were held captive until a convenient time for their sea journey to Malaysia, during which they were also tortured for ransom.
All rescued individuals are undergoing necessary administrative procedures before being handed over to the relevant authorities. Legal action against the four arrested traffickers is currently underway.
