KUCHING, Oct 25 : Police rescued five foreign women believed to be victims of human trafficking at around 3.30 pm last Friday (Oct 21).
Sarawak Commissioner of Police Dato’ Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the women, aged between 24 to 29 years old were found in a locked room at a commercial centre along Jalan Setia Raja, when the Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) of Kuching Police Headquarters raided the premises.
“The victims were locked in the house and their movements were monitored via Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system which were installed around the premise.
“Two men aged 23 and 25 years old were arrested in a separate location for allegedly exploiting foreign worker.
“Police also seized and two passports belonging to the victims,” he said in a statement issued on Monday.
Initial investigations found that all victims have been staying in the premise within a period of three weeks to five months.
“They were smuggled into Sarawak and were forced to serve customers at entertainment centres and hotels by providing sexual services,” he pointed out.
Azman noted that the victims will be sent to the Women’s Shelter in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for temporary protection and relief.
The case will be investigated under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and Section 12(1)(F) of the Passport Act 1966. – TVS
