3 members of int'l trafficking gang arrested

Three alleged human traffickers having links with an international trafficking gang were arrested in the capital on Thursday night.

Following a case filed by a victim, officials of the Criminal Investigation Department arrested Al Azad, 27, in Banani, Firoz Ahmed, 28, in Uttara and Krishna Gopal Dey, 38, in Tantibazar and seized Tk 15 lakh from them.

"The trio were working for a Romania-born Australian national named John, the ringleader of an international trafficking gang," said Mirza Abdullahel Baqui, special superintended (organised crime) of CID at a press briefing at his office.

John visited Bangladesh around four months ago and lured a good number of people with handsomely paid jobs at his chain shops in Australia, New Zealand and Romania.   

Azad and Firoz used to collect the fortune seekers from across the country through their agents, while Krishna used to deal with financial transactions, said the CID officials, adding, the gang used to take Tk 12-15 lakh from each target.

The CID officials further said the gang mainly used to take the fortune seekers to Indonesian on tourist visas and made them captive there. They were not released unless they gave them the demanded money through family members in Bangladesh.

Kowsar Ahmed, who was looking for a job in New Zealand, fell victim to this gang.

Kowsar told The Daily Star that Azad and Firoz sent him to Indonesia on October 18 after he had initially given them Tk 1 lakh. He was supposed to give them more after he safely travelled to New Zealand.

"Their agents in Indonesia made me captive along with fellow Bangladeshi Abdul Momin and demanded Tk 13 lakh from my family. They sent me back to the country after receiving the sum," he said, adding, Krishna took the money from his family.

According to CID officials, Krishna used to send money to one of his brothers in India. The money was later sent to John by one of his friends.

The CID officials said the gang had agents in Australia, India, Indonesia and Romania, adding, they would take necessary action through the Interpol.