Trafficker held for smuggling Bangladeshis

Mohammad Arzu Rahman, 47, was arrested in a joint operation by the Special Response Battalion (SRB) in Dhaka on Monday. SRB said he had been involved in trafficking for 12 years and allegedly trafficked more than 2,000 Bangladeshis.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, SRB-4 Commander Lt Col Md Hafizur Rahman said Arzu took Tk 85 lakh from a woman and five family members on the promise of sending them to Italy. They were later taken to Sri Lanka and Egypt, where they were allegedly tortured and forced into immoral activities.

SRB said 30 to 35 victims who escaped the ring have contacted the force. Arzu allegedly operated under several company names despite having no valid immigration business licence.

He was handed over to Vatara Police Station for legal action. Efforts are underway to arrest his associates, SRB said.

-AJM