The Bangladesh Navy has rescued 65 people being illegally trafficked to Malaysia by sea along with an engine-driven trawler and detained 11 members of a human trafficking ring.
The operation was conducted late on Wednesday night by the naval patrol vessel BNS Khalid Bin Walid.
According to a press release issued by the Bangladesh Navy, a fishing vessel named FV Crystal-1 spotted a floating wooden boat with a broken engine in the sea, approximately 81 miles off Saint Martin’s Light House under Teknaf Upazila in Cox’s Bazar.
When FV Crystal-1 moved closer to assist the drifting vessel, its crew noticed suspicious behaviour among several individuals on board.
FV Crystal-1 immediately alerted the Bangladesh Navy.
Promptly responding to the notification, BNS Khalid Bin Walid, which was patrolling Saint Martin’s and adjoining waters, reached the spot and rescued the floating boat.
As water was entering the boat due to a defective engine and pump, navy personnel quickly drained the water, brought the situation under control, and safely rescued all 76 persons on board.
The rescued individuals were subsequently provided with primary medical care, food, and humanitarian assistance.
Following preliminary interrogation, 11 of the 76 rescued individuals were identified as members of a human trafficking syndicate and taken into custody.
Sources stated that the remaining 65 individuals had boarded the boat for Malaysia after falling victim to deception, with most having been abducted by the trafficking gang and detained in remote areas of Teknaf before being transported out to sea.
The Navy confirmed that the vessel was illegally engaged in carrying passengers to Malaysia via the maritime route.
Process is currently underway to hand over the detained suspects and the seized boat to Teknaf Police Station for further legal action.
In its press release, the Bangladesh Navy highlighted that the successful operation not only apprehended members of the trafficking ring but also averted a major potential disaster and loss of life.
The Navy added that its regular patrols and operations will continue to safeguard Bangladesh’s maritime boundary, suppress human trafficking and smuggling, and prevent all illegal activities at sea.
