The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued 50 people and detained nine suspected human traffickers during an operation against a Malaysia-bound boat in the Bay of Bengal off Baharchhara in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
The rescued individuals include Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, Coast Guard officials said.
Station Commander of Coast Guard Station Teknaf Lieutenant Commander Md Muttaqin Siddiqui confirmed the matter at a briefing in Keruntali, Teknaf, on Saturday.
According to Coast Guard sources, the operation was carried out between 6:00 pm and midnight on Friday following intelligence reports of an attempted human trafficking operation by sea.
The operation involved Coast Guard vessel Mansur Ali and personnel from Coast Guard Station Teknaf, Shahporir Dwip outpost and Baharchhara outpost.
During the drive, Coast Guard members signalled a suspicious boat near the Baharchhara coast to stop. The vessel ignored the order and attempted to flee into deeper waters. After a chase, the boat was intercepted and searched.
A total of 50 victims were rescued from the vessel, while nine suspected members of a human trafficking syndicate were detained.
Preliminary interrogation of the rescued individuals revealed that the trafficking network had recruited people from different parts of Bangladesh and Rohingya camps by promising lucrative jobs, improved living conditions and quick financial gains abroad.
The victims were reportedly kept at various safe houses in Teknaf before being transported by sea to Malaysia.
Several victims alleged that traffickers subjected them to physical and psychological abuse and extorted ransom from their families. Authorities also received information suggesting that some victims had been abducted from different parts of the country and held against their will.
Initial investigations indicate that the detainees are linked to a long-active trafficking syndicate involved in illegally sending people to Malaysia and other countries through an organised transnational network.
Law enforcement agencies are continuing efforts to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate.
Lieutenant Commander Siddiqui said the identities of the rescued individuals are being verified and necessary assistance is being provided to them.
“Legal proceedings, including the filing of cases against the detained traffickers, are underway,” he added.
