Aceh Police Investigate Rohingya Immigrant Smuggling Syndicate

Rohingya refugees are in a shelter in Padang Tiji, Pidie Regency, Aceh. BETWEEN/M Haris SA

BANDA ACEH - Aceh Police are investigating allegations of syndicated human smuggling related to the rise of Rohingya immigrants entering the province of the western tip of Indonesia

Aceh Police Chief Inspector General Achmad Kartiko stated that there is a suspicion of a syndicated connection between human smuggling and the rampant entry of Rohingya immigrants to Aceh Province.

"From the results of the police investigation, there are allegations of human smuggling related to the entry of Rohingya immigrants to Aceh," said Achmad Kartiko as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, November 30.

According to him, the syndicated human smuggling was obtained from a police investigation. Where the Rohingya immigrants paid the ship and crew to enter Indonesia. The ship and crew from Bangladesh.

In addition, said the Kapolda, this was also revealed from truck drivers in East Aceh who were paid to bring Rohingya immigrants. As well as the people who facilitated the escape of the Rohingya immigrants using buses in Pidie Regency.

"So, I have ordered who I am involved in the syndicate of the perpetrators of Rohingya immigrants who are prosecuted. And this is clearly a criminal act of human smuggling, not a criminal act of trafficking in persons," said Achmad Kartiko.

Kapolda said that the evidence for criminal acts of trafficking in persons is a bit difficult. The element of proving the crime of trafficking in persons must have a process of recruitment, transportation, and exploitation.

"For the Rohingya immigrants case, there is recruitment and transportation, but there is no exploitation yet. So for this case, the police ensnared people who facilitated the arrival of Rohingya immigrants to Aceh with human smuggling crimes," he said.

Achmad Kartiko said the Rohingya immigrants who were brought to Aceh were all from Cox Bazaar. And they also already have a UNHCR card, a world institution that deals with cross-border refugees.

Therefore, UNHCR must also be responsible for Rohingya immigrants who were brought to Aceh. Because, why did they escape the refugee camp.

"The indication of human smuggling is that Indonesia has been harmed. This is because the Rohingya immigrants are illegal and not through official procedures," said Achmad Kartiko.