Polda Metro Uncovers Human Trafficking Ring to Libya, Two Named as Suspects

Metro Jaya regional police have uncovered a people trafficking operation to Libya. The perpetrators promised victims they would be sent to Turkey.

“The victims were promised work as domestic helpers in Turkey with monthly wages of around Rp 7 million. However, they were instead placed in Libya through non-procedural channels,” said the head of Metro Jaya police’s public relations division, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, on Friday (24/7/2026).

In Libya, the victims experienced exploitation, including unpaid wages, violence, threats, excessively long working hours and the confiscation of their passports.

“The victims suffered exploitation such as receiving no wages, violence, threats, passport confiscation, restricted freedom of movement, and long working hours without rest,” he explained.

Investigators have named two people as suspects in the trafficking case. Both have been detained at the Metro Jaya police detention facility.

“We have named two suspects, who we have now arrested and who are being held at the Metro Jaya police detention centre,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, the director of criminal investigation at Metro Jaya police, Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, explained that the suspects gave money to prospective victims to persuade them to travel.

“To attract victims, the suspects also provided an upfront fee of Rp 2.5 million to 3 million to the victims’ families,” he said.

The two suspects are R and DY, each with a different role in carrying out the trafficking operation.

“The first suspect is R, alias Ica, whose role was to instruct suspect DY to recruit the victims, and who also channelled financing for the victims. The second is suspect DY, who actively sought out victims to be sent abroad,” he said.