The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police has arrested two key members of an international human trafficking syndicate following the tragic deaths of eight Bangladeshis when a boat capsized off the Tunisian coast during an illegal Mediterranean crossing to Italy.
The CID’s Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) unit detained the pair during a raid in the Tekerhat Bazar area in Rajoir of Madaripur on Wednesday evening.
The arrested duo has been identified as Mohammad Rafiqul Islam alias Rafiq Bagha, 54, of Purba Saramangal in Rajoir, and Mohammad Amir Hossain Swapan, 38, of Kanoria in Muksudpur of Gopalganj.
Their arrests were formally announced in an official CID press release issued on Thursday.
According to lead investigators, the victims were being trafficked from Libya to Italy by sea between December 2023 and February 2024 when their vessel capsized near Tunisia.
Eight Bangladeshi nationals perished in the tragedy; their bodies were later repatriated through special government arrangements and returned to their grieving families.
The investigation revealed that an organised human trafficking syndicate extorted substantial sums from the victims’ families under the pretext of sending them to Italy through legal channels.
Instead, the victims were sent illegally from Libya aboard an engine-powered boat.
In court, the sole survivor of the tragedy gave a statement detailing the names and addresses of those involved in the illicit operation.
During police interrogation, Rafiqul and Amir admitted to collecting funds from the family of 19-year-old victim Russel Sheikh, transferring the money to co-conspirators, and facilitating his journey.
A case has been registered against Rafiqul Islam at Rajoir Police Station under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012 and Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Two other suspects, Gurudas Baroi and Mohammad Motleb Matobbor, were previously arrested and remanded in custody.
The CID confirmed that investigations remain ongoing to apprehend absconding local and foreign associates, urging citizens to avoid unverified recruitment brokers and follow official government-approved migration channels.
