Inp.polri.go.id - Banda Aceh.  The South Aceh Sub-regional Police have confiscated a motor vessel used to transport Rohingya migrants in the waters of Labuhan Haji, South Aceh, as part of an investigation into human trafficking.

"The vessel, named KM Bintang Raseki, weighing 38 gross tons, is currently docked at Labuhan Haji Port, and police tape has been placed around it," Superintendent Mughi Prasetyo Habrianto, the South Aceh Police Chief, said on Friday (25/10/2024).

It followed the arrest of three suspects linked to the presence of 151 Rohingya migrants in the Labuhan Haji waters. The suspects were arrested at a police checkpoint in Pakpak Barat, North Sumatra, on 18 October 2024.

The suspects, identified as F (35) from East Labuhan Haji, A (33) from Tangan-tangan, and I (32) from West Labuhan Haji, are believed to have played various roles in the smuggling operation. 

F allegedly awaited the arrival of the migrants on the shore, while A and I purchased the vessel for approximately Rp 600 million, according to antaranews.com.

The Aceh Regional Police have taken over the investigation, and the seized vessel is expected to be transferred to Banda Aceh for further proceedings.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)