Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Police (INP)’s International Relations Division has arrested a high-profile suspect, identified by his initials HS, for his alleged role in a transnational human trafficking (TPPO) syndicate targeting Rohingya refugees. 

Arrested in Istanbul, Turkey, following an Interpol Red Notice, the Indonesian citizen was repatriated to Jakarta on Wednesday after an extensive cross-border manhunt.

"Suspect HS acted as a critical international liaison, bridging smuggling networks between Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Australia," said Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, the Secretary of NCB-Interpol Indonesia, on Friday (23/1/2025), as cited by antaranews.com

The suspect is accused of facilitating the illegal entry of Rohingya migrants through Aceh’s waters as a transit point before smuggling them to third-party countries. Police records indicate that suspect HS is a repeat offender who expanded his criminal operations to a transnational scale after previously facing similar charges. 

His arrest involved intensive intelligence sharing between Interpol Indonesia, NCB Ankara, and NCB Singapore. Suspect HS is currently in custody, facing multiple counts under the Human Trafficking and Immigration Laws, as authorities move to uncover the broader network linked to the Aceh-Cox’s Bazar smuggling route.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)