When ‘Good Luck’ does not bear good wishes

Actions against traffickers

• 16 cases have been filed in connection with the murder of 26 Bangladeshis in Libya
• Detectives have identified 100 human traffickers in the Good Luck ring from 13 districts in Bangladesh
• RAB and CID arrested 13 traffickers after the Libya incident

The phrase "good luck" is used to wish success to someone. However, many people in Bangladesh have ended up having their dreams for success shattered after they came in contact with a human trafficking racket named Good Luck.

Enticing people to take them to Europe, this ring has long been trafficking people to Middle Eastern countries including Libya.

According to police sources, this powerful syndicate of human traffickers has active members across the country and has made a strong network from Dhaka to remote village areas. 

Law enforcement has identified 100 human traffickers who are involved in this racket.

The law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to track down the human trafficking racket after 30 migrant workers, including 26 Bangladeshis, were killed by human traffickers in Libya on May 27 this year.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have already arrested 13 traffickers from various parts of the country.

Faruk Hossain, additional superintendent of the CID told The Business Standard that some 16 cases have been filed in various areas including Dhaka in connection with the Libya incident.

A number of traffickers have been identified, he said, adding that they are trying to nab the whole racket.

Of the 16 cases filed against traffickers and recruiting agencies in connection with the Libya incident, some have been filed by victims' family members and some others by law enforcement agencies.

According to sources, the CID has filed three cases against traffickers with Paltan and Banani police station in this connection.

Additionally, a member of a victim's family has filed a case against 16 people at Paltan police station. The Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has been investigating the case.

The twelve other cases have been lodged outside Dhaka. 

Sources said the gangs maintain a strong network from Dhaka to Libya. They allure people with promises to take them to Europe – taking Tk8 lakh from every aspirant migrant for that purpose. However, after taking the money, the racket sends the migrants to Libya.

However, their peril from the money-seeking human traffickers does not end there. The victims, once they reach Libya, are kidnapped by terrorist groups. The terrorists then demand a huge ransom for their release.

Hostages are asked to communicate with their families in Bangladesh and send money through a hundi financial instrument. People who are able to pay the ransom are released, but those who cannot pay it have to endure torture by the terrorists and eventually are killed by them.

Police said the identified 100 active members of the Good Luck gang are from 13 districts: Madaripur, Faridpur, Kishoreganj, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Noakhali, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Narail, Barguna and Dhaka.

The kingpins of the racket live abroad. They give instructions to local traffickers who collect people and deal with them following the kingpins' demands. Then, the traffickers send the victims abroad with the help of some recruiting agencies.

According to police, court and media report sources, around 6,000 cases have been filed under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act since its coming into being in 2012. Law enforcement agencies arrested 9,692 people in this connection, while 54 of them have been punished.