DHAKA, May 20, 2026 (BSS) - The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has arrested the prime accused in a human trafficking case involving the torture of a Bangladeshi man in Cambodia and the extortion of ransom from his family.

The arrested accused, Md Firoz Hossain, 44, was detained from the Chourhas area of Kushtia town on May 17 following an investigation conducted using information technology-based intelligence, said a PBI press release. 

According to the PBI investigation, victim Md Raju Ahmed, 29, a resident of Daulatpur upazila in Kushtia district, was lured to Cambodia with promises of a lucrative job by Firoz Hossain and another accused, Md Sumon Hossain alias Kamal.

The accused allegedly collected Tk 4.5 lakh from Raju before sending him to Cambodia.

After reaching Cambodia, Raju was reportedly confined and tortured through electric shocks, slaps, and physical assault. The traffickers later demanded a ransom of US$5,000 from his family for his release.

Investigators said the victim's family paid a total of Tk 6,90,330 through bank accounts, Rocket mobile banking, and a dual-currency Visa card.

Despite the torture, Raju managed to escape from captivity and returned to Bangladesh on February 9 this year.

He later filed a case with Daulatpur Police Station on May 11 under the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Prevention Ordinance-2026 and relevant sections of the Penal Code.

During interrogation, Firoz reportedly confessed to his involvement in trafficking the victim to Cambodia in collaboration with other members of the racket and extorting ransom through torture.

The accused also gave a confessional statement before the court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on May 18.

PBI officials said drives are underway to arrest the remaining absconding members of the trafficking syndicate.