Inp.polri.go.id - Kendari. The Directorate of the Criminal Investigation Department (Ditreskrimum) of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police (Sutra) through the Sub Directorate IV of Youth, Women, and Children (Renakta) said that as many as five men were threatened with 15 years in prison for their involvement in the crime of human trafficking (TPPO).

In his statement, the Head of Sub-Directorate IV Renakta of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police Criminal Investigation Department, Police Assistant Sharir Hanafi, said that his party had arrested five perpetrators of the criminal act of human trafficking in Kendari City.

"The five are subject to Article 2 paragraph (1) and (2) of Law Number 21 of 2007 concerning the Crime of Human Trafficking with a minimum penalty of three years and a maximum of 15 years in prison," he said, as reported by Antaranews, Wednesday (28/6 /23).

Police Assistant Sharir Hanafi said the five suspects arrested were MF (18), A (19), M (37), S (21), and MAR (22). They are suspected of acting as pimps who trafficked seven women.

He revealed that of the seven women who were allegedly trafficked by the suspects, one of them was underage to be used as a sex worker (PSK) with rates varying from IDR 400,000 to IDR 800 for one date.

"The suspects were arrested at different places and times, some were arrested on June 14, 2023, then June 21, 2023. They were secured in different hotels in Kendari City," he explained.

Furthermore, Police Assistant Sharir Hanafi revealed that the suspects received a profit of IDR 50,000 to IDR 100,000 per transaction. The suspects searched for users of the illegal service by using an online application.

Currently, the five suspects have been detained at the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police detention center for further investigation.

He added that his party had also examined the hotel owner who was suspected of being used as a place for prostitution.

(fa/pr/um)