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The pattern continued in 2025, when 236 of 245 disposed cases ended in acquittal, with 857 accused walking free.

CID officials say trafficking persists despite arrests because demand for irregular migration remains strong.

“Many still choose these routes after seeing others succeed, often ignoring the risks,” said Mohammad Badrul Alam Mollah, special superintendent of CID’s Serious Crime Unit.

Officials also cited difficulties in obtaining evidence from abroad.

On low conviction rates, Badrul said, “Documentary evidence can often be collected, but field-level investigators struggle to properly apply trafficking laws, creating gaps that allow accused persons to walk free.”

Another challenge is the difficulty of securing records and evidence from abroad in time for the trial.

One such case involves eight Bangladeshis who died when a boat sank off Tunisia on February 14, 2024, while en route from Libya to Italy.

Investigators are still waiting for autopsy and inquest reports from Tunisia, sought in August last year through mutual legal assistance.

The delay has held up the charge sheet, and several accused remain absconding, officials said.

The investigation officer in the case, CID Sub-Inspector Swapan Mia, said efforts are being made to arrest the absconding accused.

Mostofa Kamal Khan, public prosecutor of Dhaka’s anti-human trafficking tribunal, said repeated acquittals stem from structural weaknesses.

He cited poor awareness, poverty, weak understanding of the law among some lawyers and investigators, lack of technical support, and difficulty in collecting foreign evidence.

He added that cases often take around five years, leaving victims unwilling to continue, while witnesses are often unavailable.

Another recent case highlights how such networks operate.

Mohammad Zakir Hossain of Chandpur left Bangladesh on June 12, 2024, after being promised travel to Italy. Instead, he ended up in Libya, where he was confined in a “game ghar” for eight days, later jailed, and eventually returned home on August 28.

He said he had filed a case with CID but is willing to settle if the accused repays the remaining amount.

Zakir said he paid Tk 15 lakh for the journey and has recovered only part of it. One accused was arrested after the payment was traced to his bank account. The accused later agreed to pay Tk 6.5 lakh each to two complainants, but Zakir has so far received Tk 5 lakh.

He said they were promised legal travel to Italy on visit visas but were instead taken to Dubai, then Egypt, and later Libya. Only after reaching Egypt did they realise the deception.

In Libya, he said, they were confined, given minimal food and water, and later detained before returning home.

To arrange the Tk 15 lakh, Zakir used Tk 2 lakh of his own savings, borrowed Tk 7 lakh from in-laws, and took loans from others.

After returning home, he said he remains burdened by debt.

CID data show 316 trafficking cases are currently under investigation, including 31 linked to Libya. In the past year, charge sheets were submitted in 123 cases.

Shariful Hasan said these cases show how trafficking routes through Libya continue to shift and expand, while legal responses lag behind.

“Stronger coordination at home and with foreign countries is needed to stop migrants from repeatedly falling into the same deadly trap,” he said.