A married Bangladeshi couple who are New Zealand citizens, will appear before the Auckland District Court next Monday, 11 February 2019 on charges of human trafficking, exploitation and other immigration related charges.

The charges relate to Mohammed Atiqul Islam and his wife, Nafisa Ahmed previous ownership of a sweet making business in Auckland. Islam faces additional charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Trafficking in persons is punishable under the Crimes Act with imprisonment for up to 20 years, a fine of $500,000 or both.

The maximum penalty on the exploitation, false and misleading information and aiding and abetting charges is seven years’ imprisonment and / or a fine not exceeding $100,000.The maximum penalty for attempting to pervert the course of justice is seven years’ imprisonment.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

As the matter is now before the courts INZ is unable to provide any further comment.

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