Ukhiya, Sept 22 (V7N) – Two alleged members of a human trafficking gang have been arrested in Ukhiya for allegedly abducting a teenager with the promise of a job and attempting to traffic him to Malaysia, authorities said.
The arrests were made by SRB-15 during an operation in the Nurardail area of Jaliapalong Union in Ukhiya upazila on Sunday afternoon.
The suspects were identified as Ashek, 19, of the Inani area of Jaliapalong Union, and Imran Uddin, 20, from the same union.
According to SRB-15, 14-year-old Md Maimun Uddin of Monkhali area in Ukhiya left home on Feb. 27 to attend Friday prayers. Members of the alleged trafficking gang reportedly lured him with the promise of a job before abducting and confining him at an undisclosed location.
The gang later allegedly demanded a ransom from the teenager’s family and threatened to kill him if the money was not paid. They also allegedly threatened to throw him into the sea if the family informed the authorities.
Following the incident, a team from the SRB-15 Hoikong Camp (CPC-2) identified the suspected abductors’ location using intelligence and information technology.
The team conducted an operation in the Nurardail area at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday and arrested Ashek and Imran Uddin.
SRB-15 said the two suspects admitted during preliminary questioning to their alleged involvement in abducting Maimun Uddin for the purpose of trafficking him to Malaysia and demanding ransom from his family.
Legal proceedings against the two suspects are underway, according to SRB-15.
Authorities said intelligence surveillance and operations are continuing to identify and arrest other members allegedly involved in the human trafficking and abduction network.
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