Human trafficker nabbed on Bintan

BATAM, Riau Islands: Police officers foiled a prostitute trafficking attempt on Thursday night in Sri Bintan Putra International port, Batam regency, Tanjung Pinang district on Bintan island.

Chief of Tanjung Pinang police's detectives Adj. Comr. Herry Heriawan said on Friday that police arrested human trafficker suspect Syamsul at the port. The chief also took two female victims to the station for question as they were thought to be sold as prostitutes in Malaysia.

Another woman, who hails from West Kalimantan, was later found by police in Sondang Hotel in Batam following a tip by two of her colleagues.

The Tanjung Pinang police have foiled 16 human trafficking cases since September last year, and stopped dozens of women from going to work as prostitutes in Malaysia. -- JP