Mafia TPPO in Bengkalis Riau Rolled, 12 People Rescued

Illustration of illegal workers (ANTARA)

PEKANBARU - The Bengkalis Police in Riau Province have secured the perpetrators of alleged human trafficking (TPPO) crimes of three Indonesian citizens and one foreign citizen of Myanmar (Rohingya).

Head of the Bengkalis Police, AKBP Fahrian Saleh Siregar, revealed that this disclosure began with a report from residents through his personal number and emergency service 110. The report was immediately responded to to ensure the safety of the prospective victims who were threatened to be sent abroad without legal protection.

"In this silent operation, officers managed to secure a total of 12 people from the Sepahat Village, Bandar Laksamana District," said Fahrian, Antara, Wednesday, February 4.

This operation took place around 03.00 WIB Tuesday at a house suspected of being a shelter for illegal labor shipments.

After an intensive examination, four of them were determined as the main suspects, namely a man with the initials Z (44), MR (54), SS (25), and C (27).

They are suspected of playing a role in organizing the departure of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) non-procedurally to Malaysia through the sea route in the Bengkalis area.

"The four victims were found in different shelter points in a state without official documents, a dark portrait of human exploitation targeting vulnerable groups," he explained.

Fahrian said the perpetrators were threatened with severe punishment for their actions. They are suspected of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) of Law Number 21 of 2007 concerning the Eradication of TPPO as well as Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration.

This firm step, he continued, was taken to provide a deterrent effect as well as the commitment of the Bengkalis Police in eradicating the human trafficking mafia who often take advantage of coastal areas.

"Currently, all the suspected perpetrators and victims have been at the Bengkalis Police to undergo further examination," said Fahrian.