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Published : 21 Aug 2025, 07:50 PM
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested one of 175 Bangladeshi nationals who recently returned from Libya, accusing him of involvement in a human trafficking syndicate.
The arrest took place on Wednesday evening after the returnees landed in Dhaka using outpasses provided by the Bangladesh High Commission in Tripoli, according to a media statement issued on Thursday afternoon.
The CID said the man, identified as Sakhawat Hossain, 42, was arrested during routine questioning of the returnees.
The process included recording information on forms prescribed by the home ministry and was conducted with the assistance of the National Security Intelligence (NSI), it added.
The statement said Sakhawat was already wanted in trafficking cases filed with Dhaka airport and Kishoreganj police.
He is also accused of running “mafia-style” trafficking syndicates in Libya and being involved in abductions, it added.
During initial questioning in custody, the CID learned that between 400 and 500 Bangladeshis had been illegally sent to Italy from Libya through four separate boats, allegedly under Sakhawat’s coordination.
The trafficking ring reportedly generated significant profits through these operations.
The CID also said the suspect provided names of other members of the syndicate during interrogation.
Among them is Md Shawkat Ali, 47, who works as a traffic helper at Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
“In addition, four to five more associates have been identified,” the agency added. “These people were actively involved in enticing victims with promises of a better life abroad and were engaged in trafficking, detaining victims, and collecting ransom.”
The CID will lead the investigation into the two existing cases filed against Sakhawat.
The suspect was produced in court on Thursday, and both police stations handling his cases have been formally notified, it confirmed.
