Police have arrested the prime accused in a human trafficking case in Sherpur for allegedly luring a man to Saudi Arabia with the promise of a well-paid job and later holding him hostage after demanding Tk16 lakh from his family.
Lablu Mia, 49, was arrested at his home in the Dashkahania area of Char Sherpur union under Sadar upazila on Monday night following a court order. Two other accused remain at large.
According to police and the case statement, Lablu promised Saiful Islam, a resident of Pakuria Bhatiapara in Sadar upazila, a well-paid job in Saudi Arabia on 13 September 2025 and collected Tk6.50 lakh from his family.
Although Saiful was sent to Saudi Arabia, complications arose over the promised job and salary.
When his family contacted Lablu to arrange his return to Bangladesh, he allegedly demanded another Tk16 lakh.
After the family failed to pay, Lablu’s associates allegedly held Saiful hostage and prevented him from contacting his relatives.
Saiful’s wife, Shahina Akter, subsequently filed a case against Lablu and two others with a Sherpur court under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act.
Acting on the court’s order, police raided Lablu’s home on Monday night and arrested him.
Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khokon Chandra Ghosh confirmed the arrest, saying efforts were underway to apprehend the two remaining accused.
