Bangladeshis using SL as transit hub to Europe

22 Apr 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Forty one Bangladeshis were arrested from Fort and Maradana areas by the Immigration and Emigration Department on allegations that they were part of a large scale human smuggling racket.

They were reported to have arrived in Sri Lanka and had attempted to stamp their passports with forged Libyan Visas, Intelligence and Investigating Unit Chief Amith Perera said.

He said the Department believed that the suspects were involved in a racket which provided safe passage to Europe. Investigations revealed that Bangladeshis agents living in Sri Lanka were operating this racket for some time.

Mr. Perera said the arrested Bangladeshis were reported to have paid nearly Rs.700,000to their handlers.

He said the main suspect was evading arrest and officials also believed that a Sri Lankan might be also involved in operating this human smuggling racket.

The raid was conducted under the instructions of Immigration and Emigration Controller-General Chulananda Perera and under the direction of Visa and Border Control Division Chief Nihal Ranasinghe.

Those being held at the Mirihana Detention facility are to be blacklisted and sent back to Bangladesh investigations are completed. (Sanath Desmond)

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Bangladeshis using SL as transit hub to Europe

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