Bangladesh Coast Guard detained 39 people, including two Rohingyas and 37 Bangladeshis, from the outfall of the Bakkhali River in Cox’s Bazaar on Thursday, while they were trying to travel to Malaysia illegally.
Acting on a tip-off, a coast guard team from Chittagong east zone station conducted a drive in the river around 11pm and seized three boats, carrying the illegal travellers. Among those arrested was a middleman, providing help to people to try to get to Malaysia unlawfully. He was identified as Jalal Ahmed, 30.
The arrested Rohingyas were identified as Shah Alam, 30, and Abdul Hakim, 35.
The arrestees were handed over to Cox’s Bazar Police Station.