Inp.polri.go.id - Batam.The Batam, Rempang and Galang (Barelang) Sub-regional Police in Batam, Riau Islands, have dismantled an illegal Indonesian migrant worker shelter  and arrested the couple who run the shelter over the weekend Assistant Superintendent Budi Hartono, the Head of the Barelang Police Criminal Investigation Department, revealed that the police found 19 women who were destined for employment in Singapore. "During the operation, we arrested the caretakers," he said, disclosing that the caretakers were identified by their initials, MT, a 59 year old man, and YM, a 36 year old woman. Budi revealed that the couple had accommodated the illegal Indonesian migrant workers without proper documentation. The perpetrators were found to be in direct contact with agencies in Singapore.  They accommodated the recruits, who came from various regions in Indonesia, in Batam before sending them to Singapore through Batam's international port to work as domestic helpers. Once employed, they required the recruits to repay fees ranging from S$500 to S$700 over a period of 4 months. The couple face charges under the Migrant Workers Protection Act, which could result in 5 years in prison and a fine of Rp 15 billion. The Barelang Police has seized the victims' passports, the couple's mobile phones and ATMs linked to their transactions during the operation. (mg/my/pr/nm)