SRB-4 arrests alleged mastermind of international human trafficking ring

The government has directed law enforcement agencies to take strong action against human trafficking networks

The Special Response Battalion-4 (SRB-4), in a joint operation with SRB-1, arrested an alleged key mastermind of an international human trafficking ring from Banani C Block in Dhaka on Monday, based on intelligence provided by the National Security Intelligence (NSI).

The arrestee was identified as Mohammad Arzu Rahman (47).

According to the SRB, Rahman has allegedly been involved in illegal manpower recruitment and human trafficking for around 12 years, using the names of various agencies, including Arzu Immigration Limited and Nafis Air Immigration Limited.

The operation followed a complaint made by a trafficking victim, Kamrun Nahar, to the NSI on 16 July.

The investigation found that Kamrun Nahar, Fatema, Azuman Ara, Parvez, Firoz and Mehedi Hasan, among others, were allegedly lured with promises of high-paying jobs in European countries.

The victims were allegedly shown or provided with visas and promised passage to Italy through Serbia and Belarus.

The syndicate allegedly collected around Tk85 lakh from the victims on the pretext of sending them abroad.

The gang allegedly first sent victims to different Asian and Middle Eastern countries before attempting to route them through Nepal or Sri Lanka to Egypt or Libya and eventually to Europe via dangerous sea routes, the SRB said.

Three victims reportedly managed to return to Bangladesh after escaping from difficult situations abroad, while two others remained stranded. Kamrun was sent to Egypt, while Azuman Ara remained in Sri Lanka. Both later contacted the NSI for assistance.

Following Rahman’s arrest, around 30–35 more victims from different parts of the country contacted the authorities, the SRB said.

Many of them reportedly managed to return home after going through risky situations abroad.

The intelligence agency is also in contact with around 300 other victims. After reviewing various incidents, cases, complaints and information, authorities initially estimate that more than 2,000 Bangladeshis may have fallen victim to fraud and trafficking by the syndicate.

The ring allegedly charged Tk20–25 lakh per person for sending them to Europe, with some victims reportedly paying as much as Tk40 lakh.

According to preliminary interrogation and information obtained by the authorities, Rahman targeted unemployed youths and women from remote areas with promises of high-paying jobs abroad and collected large sums of money from them.

The SRB said an examination of one of Rahman’s bank statements for the past year showed transactions totalling Tk1,70,75,450.

The syndicate also faces allegations of trafficking women abroad using fake visas and forged documents and subsequently forcing them into exploitative activities, the SRB said.

Written complaints and statements from victims also contain allegations that some women were held against their will and subjected to physical and psychological abuse.

Some victims have also alleged that they were subjected to severe mistreatment, including being injured with cigarettes.

The SRB said Kamrun, Fatema and Azuman Akter, who were in Egypt, managed to escape and later informed their families through video messages about the alleged physical and psychological abuse they had faced.

Several women are still reportedly stranded in Egypt, and efforts are underway to bring them back to Bangladesh through the relevant ministries, the authorities said.

The government has directed law enforcement agencies to take strong action against human trafficking networks, the SRB said.

Rahman was handed over to the concerned police station for further legal action. Meanwhile, investigation is continuing to identify and arrest his associates and other members of the alleged trafficking network.