East Nusa Tenggara Police Foil Alleged Illegal Recruitment of 21 Migrant Workers

The Ende Criminal Investigation Unit of the East Nusa Tenggara Police has foiled the alleged illegal recruitment of 21 prospective Indonesian migrant workers and detained a man with the initials SK. The suspect was reportedly transporting the 21 individuals, who were to depart for Kalimantan by ship, without following proper procedures. The case came to light following a tip-off from the public about a group of prospective workers from Ngada Regency heading to Sikka Regency. The URC Burhan team of the Ende Police immediately followed up on the information and successfully intercepted the group in Ende Regency. The Head of Public Relations for the East Nusa Tenggara Police, Senior Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra, stated that investigators are currently examining the suspect, the prospective migrant workers, and several witnesses to further investigate the alleged crime of human trafficking. East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Darmoko commended the swift response of the Ende Police personnel in preventing the non-procedural dispatch of dozens of prospective migrant workers. He emphasised that the East Nusa Tenggara Police are committed to taking firm action against perpetrators of human trafficking in accordance with applicable laws. He also urged the public not to be easily tempted by job offers promising large incomes without going through official mechanisms and to ensure the legality of migrant worker placement companies. The case is being handled under Police Report number LP/A/14/VII/2026/SPKT.Sat.Reskrim/Res Ende/Polda NTT, dated 31 July 2026. The legal status of the suspect SK will be determined after the investigation and case review are completed.