Zerin, leader of Russian human trafficking syndicate, arrested at Dhaka Airport

Tamanna Zerin, the alleged leader of a human trafficking syndicate operating in Russia, has been arrested while attempting to flee to Nepal. 

The arrest was made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday, February 6.

Zerin is reportedly involved in sending individuals to Russia, who were later forced to participate in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

According to CID, she has been under investigation, with a case already filed against her at Banani Police Station.

The trafficking network came into the spotlight after two individuals from Natore, Humayun Kabir and Rahmat Ali, were lured into traveling to Russia. 

They were offered a lucrative salary of 250,000 BDT per month by a Dhaka-based company called Dream Home Travel & Tours Limited. 

In pursuit of better financial prospects and a brighter future for their families, the two men left for Russia on October 28 last year.

However, their dreams quickly turned into a nightmare, as they found themselves caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, forced to take part under the guise of employment.

The situation escalated further when Humayun Kabir tragically lost his life in a drone strike on January 26. 

His brother-in-law, Rahmat Ali, expressed his wish to return home after witnessing the horror firsthand. 

This shocking revelation led law enforcement to intensify their surveillance on the human trafficking ring.

As the investigation progressed, law enforcement tracked down Zerin’s activities. 

On Thursday, she was caught at the airport attempting to flee the country and was promptly arrested. 

Her arrest is seen as a significant step in dismantling the trafficking syndicate that preyed on the hopes of innocent people.

This incident has brought into focus the disturbing trend of trafficking victims being used in conflicts overseas, particularly in war zones like Ukraine.