Human Trafficking Syndicate Revealed, 4 Perpetrators Arrested At Soetta Airport

Revealing the cases of human trafficking to be sent to Saudi Arabia/Photo: Doc. Banten Regional Police

SERANG – Four people have been named as suspects in a human trafficking case, which will be sent to Saudi Arabia via Soekarno Hatta Airport (Soetta). Head of Penmas Bidhumas sub-department of the Banten Police AKBP Meryadi revealed that the perpetrator was arrested on Saturday, February 18, at around 08.00 at Terminal 3 of Soekarno Hatta Airport.

The arrests began when police officers followed the suspected perpetrators from Jalan Raya Tirtayasa, Serang Regency, to Terminal 3 of Soekarno Hatta Airport.

"In this disclosure, the officers managed to arrest 4 suspects, namely BT (33), a resident of Tirtayasa, JB (53) a resident of Tanara, YES (39) a resident of Cipondoh Tangerang, and KA (50) a resident of Neglasari Tangerang. Officers also managed to secure 3 women who would be sent to Saudi Arabia with the initials TW (22), NPN (24), and NS (33)," Meryadi said in a written statement, Tuesday, February 21.

Meanwhile, Wadirreskrimum Polda Banten AKBP Dian Setiawan explained that his party was aware of suspicious activity by picking up 3 women carrying bags who were suspected of being sent as illegal migrant workers.

"Based on information from Sub-Directorate IV Renakta of the Ditreskrimum Banten Police, they moved quickly to carry out surveillance and investigations arriving at Terminal 3 of Soekarno Hatta Airport at around 11.30. It was found that 3 Indonesian female citizens (WN) were going to depart or be sent to Saudi Arabia to work as domestic servants illegally," said Dian.

The four actors are known to have different roles. BT (33) and JB (53) are recruiting, picking up, and bringing the victims to Terminal 3 of Soekarno Hatta Airport who will be sent to Saudi Arabia to become housemaids. Then KA (50) and YA (39) have a role to escort and help pass the victims from the Immigration check at Terminal 3 of Soekarno Hatta Airport.

"The perpetrators received IDR 2 million per person who was sent abroad. Furthermore, the victims were promised a salary of IDR 5 million per month and 10 people had been sent by these perpetrators abroad to illegally become housemaids," explained Dian.

"The evidence seized was 3 passports, 3 visas, 3 e-tickets for Oman Air flights, 6 Oman Air boarding passes, a silver Daihatsu Sigra car to accompany the victim, a BP3TKI Serang identification card on behalf of BT issued by the National Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, an airport restricted area entry permit card in the name of YES issued by the Regional Airport Authority Office on May 22, 2018," explained Dian.

The modus operandi of the perpetrators was to recruit, bring and send 3 Indonesian citizens abroad or in Saudi Arabia to be used as domestic helpers without valid documents as Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) or with a visit visa. For the victims, when they arrive in Saudi Arabia, they will be picked up by their respective employers.

"The article that was violated is Article 2 or Article 4 or Article 10 of the TIP Law with a minimum threat of 3 years and a maximum of 15 years in prison. Officers have also coordinated and handed over the handling of victims to UPTD PPA Banten Province for the protection of TIP victims," ​​Dian concluded.