Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Mohammad Mikail Islam, 52, for alleged involvement in the deaths of 18 Bangladeshi nationals who died while attempting to reach Greece illegally through the Mediterranean Sea. CID said in a statement on Wednesday that Mikail, a resident of Mithapur in Dirai, Sunamganj, was detained on Monday afternoon near Sylhet Airport. During initial questioning, he reportedly admitted to being part of a human trafficking network.

According to the case report, the trafficking group had promised to send a man named Masum to Greece in exchange for 1.3 million taka, collected in two installments. Masum was taken to Libya in January, and after several months, he and 44 others were sent toward Greece by sea on March 21. The boat became stranded for days, leading to severe shortages of food and water, and 18 Bangladeshis died, including Masum.

CID stated that investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the trafficking ring, trace financial transactions, and uncover any international connections.