CID arrests member of human trafficking ring over deaths of 18 Bangladeshis in Mediterranean Sea

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a member of a human trafficking gang in connection with the deaths of 18 Bangladeshis who died of hunger, thirst and dehydration in the Mediterranean Sea while travelling illegally from Libya to Greece.

The arrested was identified as Mohammad Mikail Islam, 52, a resident of Mithapur village under Dirai upazila of Sunamganj.

CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed the arrest today (17 June).

He said the suspect was detained on Monday (15 June) from the Sylhet airport area by the CID's Trafficking in Human Being (THB) unit.

The accused has admitted his involvement in human trafficking during preliminary interrogation and produced before the court for further legal proceedings, he added.

According to CID, a total of 45 migrants, including 18 Bangladeshis, died in March this year while attempting to travel illegally from Libya to Greece through the Mediterranean Sea due to starvation, thirst and exhaustion.

During the investigation, authorities uncovered an organised human trafficking network that lured people with promises of sending them to Europe in exchange for large sums of money.

Instead of legal migration, the syndicate facilitated illegal travel via Libya, detained victims, extorted money, and arranged highly risky sea journeys to Europe.

CID officials said one of the deceased victims, Masum (pseudonym), and the arrested suspect Mikail were from the same village.

Driven by hopes of improving his family's financial condition, Masum reportedly fell into the traffickers' trap and embarked on the dangerous journey to Europe.

The trafficking syndicate allegedly demanded Tk13 lakh from Masum's family, promising to send him to Greece. Of this, Tk5.5 lakh was to be paid for sending him to Libya by air, while the remaining Tk7.5 lakh was to be paid after reaching Greece.

Trusting the brokers, Masum's family agreed to the payment plan in hopes of a better future.

CID said Masum was sent to Libya in January after staying in Dhaka for 17 days. Once there, he was instructed over the phone to send money to a syndicate member.

Following the instructions, Masum's father deposited Tk4 lakh into a bank account in January, while Tk1.5 lakh in cash was later handed over to the arrested suspect, Mikail Islam.

On 21 March, Masum and 17 others were sent by sea towards Greece along with other migrants. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the vessel lost its way and drifted in the sea for six consecutive days without food or water.

Several passengers, including 18 Bangladeshis, died from extreme hunger, thirst, and exhaustion. Survivors reportedly said that bodies were later thrown into the sea on instructions from traffickers.