DHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested two active members of an international human trafficking ring in connection with the tragic death of eight Bangladeshi nationals who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to reach Italy illegally.

The arrests were made on Monday during a raid conducted by the CID’s Serious Crime Unit in the Rajoir police station area of Madaripur district. 

The arrested are Gurudas Barai, 45, of Dakshin Khalia village and Md. Motaleb Matabbar, 68, of Damerchar area under Rajoir police station.

Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Bangladesh Police, CID, Dhaka, Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed the arrests.

According to CID officials, the victims were lured with promises of legal migration to Italy. Instead, they were trafficked to Libya and later forced onto an overcrowded dinghy to cross the Mediterranean Sea. 

On the night of February 14, 2024, between 11:30 pm and 4:30 am, the boat sank before reaching the Tunisian coast, resulting in the deaths of eight Bangladeshi citizens.

The deceased were identified as Sajal Bairagi, 25, Mamun Sheikh,  24, Nayan Biswas, 18, Kazi Sajib, 19, Kaiser Khalifa, 35, Md. Rifat Sheikh, 25, Russell Sheikh, 19, and Imrul Kayes Apon, 24.

CID investigations revealed that the trafficking ring collected approximately Tk 14 lakh from the victims, assuring them of a safe and legal journey to Italy.

The arrested individuals were involved in collecting money and recruiting victims on the instructions of the main traffickers named in the case.

CID officials said Md. Motaleb Matabbar has a previous case under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009, which is currently under verification as part of the ongoing investigation.

Following the incident, the bodies of four victims were preserved at Gabes University Hospital and the remaining four at Djerba General Hospital in Tunisia. 

All the bodies were later repatriated to Bangladesh through government arrangements and handed over to their families.

On April 19, 2024, Sunil Bairagi, 59, father of deceased Sajal Bairagi, filed a case with Airport Police Station in Dhaka. 

CID officials stated that necessary legal steps have been taken to produce the arrested accused before the court. 

The investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest other absconding members of the trafficking network, trace the flow of illicit funds, and uncover the full extent of the criminal syndicate.