NTT Police Handle Four Trafficking Cases and Foil Foreign Smuggling to Australia
East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Police have revealed progress in handling several cases of human trafficking and people smuggling throughout January to June 2026.
NTT Police Chief, Inspector General Rudi Darmoko, stated that eradicating the crime of human trafficking is an effort to protect the lives, dignity, and future of the people of NTT. He noted that success is measured not only by the number of perpetrators arrested but also by the number of citizens saved from trafficking practices.
“NTT Police will stand on the front line in the war against human trafficking. We will act firmly and indiscriminately against perpetrators, recruiters, and illegal distributors in accordance with the law,” Inspector General Rudi said during a press conference at the NTT Police Headquarters on Thursday (11/6).
He also reminded the public not to easily trust promises from brokers or illegal recruiters offering work outside the region or abroad. The public is urged to report any indications of human trafficking to the relevant authorities.
The Director of Crime for the Protection of Women and Children and Eradication of Human Trafficking at the NTT Police, Senior Commissioner Nova Irone Surentu, said his unit is currently handling four trafficking cases involving child exploitation and the suspected illegal sending of migrant workers abroad.
According to him, the first case involves trafficking leading to child exploitation. Police have arrested and detained the perpetrator, seizing evidence including two mobile phones and Rp2 million in cash. The case file is currently awaiting P21 approval from the prosecution service. The second case also involves child exploitation categorized as trafficking due to the element of child trading via social media and communication applications. This case has been declared complete and will soon be handed over to the prosecution.
Meanwhile, the third case involves foiling the suspected dispatch of seven illegal migrant worker candidates to Malaysia. The operation was conducted jointly with the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP3MI) at El Tari Airport in Kupang. The seven victims were allegedly scheduled to depart via the Kupang-Surabaya-Pontianak route before continuing overland to Malaysia. This case has advanced to the investigation stage.
In the fourth case, the NTT Police and the Manpower Office prevented the departure of 13 individuals suspected of being sent illegally via a passenger ship. Three of them were minors. This case remains under investigation.
In addition to trafficking cases, the NTT Police’s Marine and Air Police Directorate uncovered a smuggling case involving nine foreign nationals from Uzbekistan attempting to reach Australia by sea. Marine Police Director Senior Commissioner Irwan Nasution said the nine foreigners were detained in Kupang City in April 2026 after police received information about their planned departure to Australia from Nunbaun Sabu People’s Port.
In this case, police have named two suspects with the initials YL and SLA, who allegedly played roles in preparing the boat and coordinating the foreigners’ departure. Police also seized evidence including one motorboat, Rp55 million in cash, three mobile phones, and 13 fuel jerry cans. According to Irwan, the two suspects were tempted by a promise of Rp325 million to dispatch the foreigners. They had already received a down payment of Rp65 million at the time of their arrest. The nine Uzbek nationals have been deported to their home country.
Meanwhile, Rote Ndao Police Chief, AKBP Mardiono, revealed that his unit is also handling two human smuggling cases throughout 2026. The first involved seven foreign nationals—four Chinese and three Uzbeks—who entered the Rote Ndao region by sea in February 2026. Four individuals suspected of involvement in the network have been placed on a wanted list. The second case relates to the alleged smuggling of a Ugandan national through the waters of Southwest Rote. This case has reached phase two and has been handed over to the local prosecution service.
Sikka Police Chief Bambang Supeno, speaking via video link, noted that human trafficking perpetrators typically recruit victims with promises of high-paying jobs outside the region or abroad, covering all departure costs. This modus operandi is used to facilitate the victims’ dispatch, which ultimately results in exploitation. He confirmed that the 13 human trafficking victims whose departure was thwarted have received legal aid, protection, and psychological recovery through cooperation with relevant agencies. After undergoing assistance, the victims were also facilitated to return to their home regions.