Midnight raid saves 12 girls, between 11 and 13 years old, from human trafficking syndicate
Seri Nor Nadiah KorisOctober 8, 2016
IPOH: Twelve girls, between the age of 11 and 13 were rescued from a human trafficking syndicate in a raid conducted by the police and the Social Welfare Department.
The raid, which took place around 11.15pm and 1.45pm, snared three suspects, two men and a woman, believed to be involved in a syndicate exploiting children as beggars.
State Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Gan Tian Kee said the children were forced to act as beggars apart from hawking herbal medicines and calendars.
“The girls we rescued will be placed in shelters here and the suspects detained will be in remand for five days,” said Gan.
“In accordance with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM), child trafficking carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine," he told reporters.
He said the police would continue to cooperate with relevant agencies to combat human trafficking involving either locals or foreigners.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
