18 Rohingyas rescued from human traffickers in Cox’s Bazar, 1 arrested
The victims said that members of the organised trafficking gang lured them in with false promises and brought them to the location under the pretext of sending them to Malaysia
Police have rescued 18 Rohingyas, including women and children, from being trafficked to Malaysia via the sea route in Cox's Bazar's Teknaf upazila. One trafficker was also arrested during the operation.
The rescue operation took place around 8pm yesterday (12 March) in the Maddham Kachhapia area of Baharchhara union, said Teknaf police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Gias Uddin.
The arrested individual, identified as Nezam Uddin, 20, is the son of Mohammad Hossain alias Lal Mohammad from Hazam Para in Teknaf Sadar Union's Ward No 6.
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The rescued individuals are residents of various Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf, the OC said.
"Police received intelligence that a group of people were being gathered by an organised human trafficking syndicate near the Cox's Bazar Marine Drive coastal area in Teknaf's Maddham Kachhapia to be smuggled to Malaysia. Upon receiving the tip-off, a police team conducted a raid in the area," said OC Gias Uddin.
Sensing the presence of law enforcers, around 10-15 suspects attempted to flee.
"While most managed to escape, one suspect was caught," he added.
"Later, 18 Rohingyas were rescued from the location, including five children, 11 women, and two men," the police official said.
"The victims said that members of the organised trafficking gang lured them in with false promises and brought them to the location under the pretext of sending them to Malaysia. The traffickers had gathered them on Wednesday night to board a trawler for the journey," said OC Gias Uddin.
Legal proceedings are underway against the arrested trafficker and his accomplices, he added.
