RAB-15 has rescued five people who were allegedly being trafficked to Malaysia by sea from Kachchhapia in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
The five were rescued during a raid in Madhyam Kachchhapia area of Baharchhara Union around 1:30am on Sunday, RAB said in a press release issued on Monday.
Four of the rescued individuals are from different villages in Chakaria upazila, while the fifth is from Teknaf.
According to RAB-15, an intelligence-led operation was conducted in Ward 8 of Baharchhara Union. When a RAB team from CPC-1 (Teknaf) reached a road in front of the residence of one Nurul Kabir, members of an alleged human trafficking syndicate fled after sensing the presence of the law enforcement agency.
The five victims were subsequently rescued from the spot.
RAB said preliminary investigations indicate that the traffickers had gathered the victims in the area with plans to send them to Malaysia by boat in exchange for financial gain and with the alleged intention of subjecting them to forced labour or services.
The rescued individuals were handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for further legal proceedings.