TDS Desk:

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is collaborating with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate the alleged smuggling of approximately Tk100,000 crore during the Sheikh Hasina government.

This major probe aims to recover these substantial illicit funds with the help of both domestic and international partners.

On Monday, an FBI team, led by Legal Attaché Robert Cameron and Supervisor Special Agents, arrived in Dhaka.

Later, the delegation engaged in crucial discussions with ACC officials at the commission headquarters.

The meeting included the director general of Money Laundering and the Legal Wing of the ACC.

According to the meeting sources, the primary focus of the meeting was to establish a joint effort to address the complexities of smuggling money and to strategize on recovering the smuggled assets.

An ACC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed to Dhaka Tribune that the commission has been diligently working to combat money smuggling and has made notable progress in recovering illicit funds.

The meeting with the FBI aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the ACC’s efforts, legal capabilities, and to explore how the FBI could further assist in the repatriation of the smuggled money.

Both agencies are considering forming a joint task force to enhance the efficiency of the recovery process. The ACC has also been in regular contact with other international law enforcement agencies to support this investigation.

On Sunday, Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed announced that about Tk30,000 crore, previously smuggled into the banking sector, have been successfully recovered.

This achievement highlights the progress made in tackling financial misconduct.

The special task force set up by the government includes representatives from Bangladesh Bank, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the ACC, the Department of Finance, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Attorney General’s Office, and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).

This multidisciplinary team continues to work to address financial crimes and enhance transparency in Bangladesh’s financial systems.

However, the commission said, the joint efforts of the ACC and the FBI reflect a significant step towards addressing and resolving the challenges of money laundering, showcasing a robust commitment to restoring integrity within the country’s financial sector.