In a shocking revelation, the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar have become breeding grounds for international human trafficking and drug networks, orchestrated by certain Rohingya factions. Exploiting the collaboration of local Bangladeshis, these criminal networks operate unchecked, preying on vulnerable individuals within and around the camps.
The criminal factions entice local youth with promises of a sea passage to Malaysia, sidestepping the need for passports or visas. Simultaneously, other factions maintain control over drug trafficking within the Rohingya community.
What’s particularly alarming is the pivotal role mobile banking plays in sustaining these criminal enterprises. Despite the potential risks, law enforcement officers claim ignorance, exposing a critical oversight gap.
Access to mobile financial services requires a registered SIM card, a process theoretically restricted to those with Bangladeshi National Identification (NID) cards. However, many Rohingyas are utilizing popular mobile financial services and even Myanmar’s KBZ Bank app within the camps.
Dhaka Tribune’s investigation into this matter uncovered startling information about the illicit use of mobile banking. Shafi Alam, a Rohingya from Myanmar, operates as a mobile banking agent in Teknaf, facilitating transactions exceeding Tk50 lakh in recent months. His status as a Rohingya contradicts official documents, raising concerns about fraudulent activities.
Law enforcement sources reveal troubling dynamics in Teknaf, where despite a low population, record volumes of mobile banking transactions occur. This surge is attributed to the activities of drug and human traffickers, with some individuals from the Rohingya community wielding significant control.
The transformation of refugee camps after 4 pm adds another layer to this crisis. Once officials leave, the seemingly ordinary camps become hotbeds of illegal activities, primarily facilitated through mobile banking transactions.
A Rohingya youth disclosed, “Mobile banking is used for buying gold ornaments, paying ransoms following kidnappings, and facilitating transactions for individuals going abroad.”
In response to inquiries, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officials acknowledge Rohingya involvement in drug and human trafficking, with arrests made in the Kutupalong camp. However, those who have returned to Myanmar remain beyond their reach.
Additional Director of the Department of Narcotics Control, Md Mazibur Rahaman Patwary, acknowledges the suspiciously large transactions in small upazilas like Teknaf, emphasizing the need for better monitoring.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman acknowledges the illegal use of mobile phones in Rohingya camps, revealing instances where kidnappers demand money through mobile banking transactions.
As authorities grapple with this complex issue, concerns rise about the significant money flowing out of the country through these channels. The involvement of informal cross-border money-transfer systems like hundi further complicates the situation, requiring urgent attention and comprehensive monitoring strategies.
