Thirteen people who were being held for illegal trafficking to Malaysia were rescued by members of RAB-15 in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The operation took place late Tuesday night at a house in the South Lombori area of Teknaf Sadar Union. According to RAB-15 Assistant Director and Assistant Superintendent of Police A. M. Faruk, the victims were being detained with plans to traffic them by sea and demand ransom.

RAB-15 reported that the traffickers fled the scene upon sensing the presence of law enforcement, but thirteen individuals were successfully rescued. Among them were six Bangladeshi men, four Rohingya men, and three Rohingya women. The suspects identified in the case include five residents of the Teknaf area, while several others remain unidentified.

RAB confirmed that the rescued victims are now under protection, and a case is being filed at Teknaf Model Police Station. The agency stated that operations to apprehend the remaining members of the human trafficking network are ongoing.