KENINGAU: Police crippled a human trafficking syndicate that targeted students for sexual exploitation following operations conducted from July 24 to 29.
District Police Chief Supt Yampil Garai said investigations uncovered the syndicate’s operations, which involved recruiting teenage girls, including two Form Two students, to be offered to clients at several hotels around Pekan Keningau.
The case came to light after parents of victims filed a police report on July 24.
Acting on information received, the police rescued four victims aged between 13 and 21 years, while eight individuals were detained to assist investigations.
Among those arrested, an 18-year-old woman known as “Elly”, suspected of acting as a procurer, has been charged in court under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
The remaining seven suspects were released and will serve as prosecution witnesses.
Investigations revealed the syndicate solicited clients through social media applications, charging RM200 per service before directing victims to predetermined hotels.
Payment was split between the suspects and victims.
All victims have been sent to the Keningau Hospital for medical examination and are currently housed at the Women and Children’s Protection Home.
For the two underage victims, the court has approved a three-month Protection Order and they have been placed at a Protection Home in Ampang, Selangor until Nov 13.
Yampil urged the public, particularly parents, to remain vigilant about their children’s movements and to immediately report any suspicious activities to help combat human trafficking crimes in the district.
