Coast Guard rescues 55 during anti-trafficking drive in Teknaf
The syndicates were attempting to send them to Malaysia through maritime routes
Bangladesh Coast Guard has rescued 55 people, including women and children, during an anti-human trafficking operation in Baharchhara under Teknaf upazila.
Five alleged human traffickers were arrested in the drive.
Lieutenant Commander Rifat Mahmud, commander of the Coast Guard Teknaf Station, confirmed the information at a press briefing this afternoon (20 February).
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He said that acting on a tip-off, separate teams from Coast Guard Outpost Baharchhara, Shahporir Dwip and Teknaf Station carried out a joint operation in the area around 10pm yesterday (19 February).
During the operation, the Coast Guard intercepted a boat and rescued 55 victims who were being trafficked to Malaysia by sea. The rescued individuals included women and children. Five suspected traffickers were detained from the boat.
According to preliminary interrogation, organised trafficking syndicates had been luring Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals from Teknaf and other parts of the country with promises of better opportunities abroad at relatively low costs.
The syndicates were attempting to send them to Malaysia through maritime routes, the officer said.
Legal action against the detained traffickers is currently underway.
The media officer added that the Coast Guard would continue its operations to curb human trafficking and ensure maritime security in the region.
