Chinese nationals entering Bangladesh as tourists have been implicated in a series of organized crimes ranging from international drug trafficking and online fraud to the trafficking of Bangladeshi women, with recent law-enforcement operations exposing networks operating with local accomplices.
Investigators say suspects have established bases mainly in Dhaka’s Uttara, Bashundhara and Nikunja areas, while evidence from separate cases suggests some groups operate through transnational networks and rotate members in and out of Bangladesh on short-term visas.
The latest major discovery came after the Department of Narcotics Control seized 50 grams of ketamine concealed inside a Bluetooth speaker at a Dhaka courier office on March 5.
The investigation led officers to an Uttara flat, where three Chinese nationals -- Li Bin, Yang Chunhing and Yo Zhi -- were arrested.
Authorities said they recovered 6.3kg of ketamine, chemicals, laboratory and packaging equipment, digital scales, phones and currencies from a makeshift laboratory.
DNC Deputy Director Mehedi Hasan said: “During initial interrogation, the accused confessed that they used to collect liquid ketamine, set up a lab inside the flat and process it into powder form. Later, they tried to smuggle it abroad through courier services.”
Investigators said the group allegedly received orders through the dark web, concealed drugs inside electronic devices for international shipment and used cryptocurrency, particularly the TRON network, for payments.
Another network emerged on August 2 when Detective Branch police arrested three Chinese nationals and a Bangladeshi woman from Bashundhara over alleged online fraud, illegal VoIP and gambling operations.
Police seized more than 6,000 active SIM cards, 20 GSM gateways, 14 laptops and 16 smartphones.
Investigators said victims were targeted with messages offering jobs, special offers or additional income before being directed to fraudulent links.
DMP DB chief Shafiqul Islam said: “Various crimes committed by Chinese citizens are coming to light. Several citizens have already been arrested on charges of online fraud.”
He said: “They are getting the courage to commit crimes with the connivance of some domestic individuals. Some more issues have come to light during the investigation. These are being worked on.”
Law enforcement agencies have separately uncovered suspected trafficking operations targeting Bangladeshi women with promises of marriage and better lives in China.
Two Chinese nationals were arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in November 2024 while allegedly attempting to traffic two women.
Two more were arrested the following month, while another two Chinese nationals were detained on similar allegations in May 2025.
Airport Armed Police Battalion Additional Superintendent Anita Rani Sutradhar said: “Human trafficking gangs from several countries are involved in trying to traffic women in collaboration with local brokers. They mainly target simple women in the villages and try to traffic them by offering various temptations. We try to take action quickly when we get information.”
Investigators say several suspects entered Bangladesh as tourists on short-term visas, established temporary bases and left after operating for a period, with others subsequently arriving.
The pattern has prompted calls for closer monitoring of foreign nationals without undermining legitimate travel.
Private university teacher Abu Noman said: “The Special Branch should keep them under close surveillance.”
The emerging cases now pose a broader challenge for law enforcement: determining whether they represent separate criminal groups or parts of wider transnational networks using Bangladesh as a base for drugs, cybercrime and human trafficking.
