inp.polri.go.id - Kupang. The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Regional Police arrested TN, a recruiter and supplier of illegal migrant workers from Kupang Regency. TN was said to send the nine illegal immigrant workers to Malaysia before getting thwarted by the authorities.

NTT Regional Police Public Relations Head, Senior Superintendent Henry Novika Chandra said that the arrest was made at the ASDP ferry port in Bolok, Kupang Regency on Sunday (6/1/2025) at around 11.30 pm..

"This operation is the result of early detection and intelligence prevention led by the Director of Intelligence and Security of the NTT Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Surisman who previously received information regarding the alleged sending of non-procedural migrant workers," he said to reporters in Kupang, Sunday.

He said that the arrest was the NTT Regional Police's commitment to eradicating the Crime of Human Trafficking (TPPO).

"They were promised to work on a chicken farm in Sabah, Malaysia, with a wage of IDR 5 million," said Henry.

Based on the results of the initial interrogation, the suspect TN is known to be the uncle of the victims and admitted to having recruited workers illegally three times previously, namely two people in 2023, three people in 2024, and nine people in 2025.

TN admitted that his actions were funded by a sponsor in Malaysia, who is currently under further investigation by the police.

TN was charged with Article 2 paragraph (1) and Article 10 of Law No. 21 of 2007 concerning the Eradication of TPPO, with a minimum prison sentence of 3 years and a maximum of 15 years, and a fine of between IDR 120 million and IDR 600 million.

Meanwhile, the nine victims have been handed over to the NTT Provincial Manpower and Transmigration Service to be given assistance, guidance, and repatriation to their respective families.

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