Bangladeshi’s bail over human trafficking charge increased

By JIMMY KALEBE
A 33-YEAR-OLD Bangladeshi who was charged with one count of human trafficking had his court bail raised from K2,000 to K4,000.
Lae Committal Court Senior Magistrate Pios Tapil told Shofikul Islam, from Bangladesh that he would be remanded in Buimo until he posted bail.
He ordered Islam’s passport to be surrendered and impounded.
Magistrate Tapil also ordered Islam’s guarantor to post a surety fee of K500.
He said the offence may amount to exploitation of another person which is unlawful.
Islam is alleged to have on Dec 13 lured a 25-year-old married woman from Port Moresby to Lae after he provided for her airline ticket, cash, cargo and by renting her a store at 4-Mile.
Police alleged that Islam had prior communication with the woman through phone calls, Facebook and WhatsApp to persuade her to leave her husband and go to Lae.
Islam had met up with her in Port Moresby and bought her an expensive handphone, gave her money and promised to rent her a trade store, according to the court.
The court was told that the woman would call her husband during the night and told him that she was in the bush between Gulf, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands.
Her husband then reported the matter to police in Port Moresby who traced the phone calls and found that the calls were actually made from Lae, where she was arrested.
Police told the court that the woman may have been lured into Lae for sex trade and forced labour.
Tapil adjourned the case to March 1.