The Bangladesh Coast Guard has rescued 153 Rohingya refugees from a Malaysia-bound trawler in the deep waters near St Martin’s Island and detained 15 individuals suspected of involvement in human trafficking.

According to Coast Guard officials, the operation was launched early Sunday under a special maritime security drive dubbed “Operation Samudra Prohora,” following intelligence reports that a large group of people including women and children were attempting to travel to Malaysia by sea.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, media officer of the Coast Guard, said a patrol vessel intercepted a suspicious trawler southwest of St Martin’s Island. The vessel allegedly tried to flee after being signaled to stop, prompting a chase. It was eventually apprehended in the southeastern waters off the island.

Upon boarding, authorities found 153 Rohingya individuals crammed inside the trawler. Fifteen suspected members of a trafficking network were also detained during the operation.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the group had been lured with promises of better livelihoods, higher-paying jobs and low-cost migration opportunities. Investigators believe the trafficking syndicate had organized the sea journey from Teknaf and other parts of the country, targeting both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals seeking to reach Malaysia through irregular channels.

The rescued individuals are currently under Coast Guard supervision, and further legal proceedings against the detained suspects are underway.

Human trafficking through the Bay of Bengal remains a persistent concern, with vulnerable communities often falling prey to false promises of employment abroad. Authorities say surveillance and maritime patrols have been intensified to curb such illegal crossings.

BOB Post