The Bangladesh Coast Guard have rescued 44 people, including women and children, from a “secret lair” in the remote hills of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, where they were allegedly confined for trafficking to Malaysia. He said the Coast Guard received information at midnight that a group of people, including women and children, were being gathered for illegal immigration by sea. The 44 individuals were later found at the traffickers’ “secret shelter” on the hilltop. “Several organised criminal groups are active in maritime human trafficking,” Lt Com Tanvir said. The Coast Guard says it has rescued 186 people during similar operations in the Teknaf hill areas over the past two months.

Source: bd News24 October 24, 2025 13:25 UTC