Police detain child traffickers

Police detain child traffickers

SURABAYA: Police here have detained four suspects and are searching for two others for their alleged involvement in child trafficking in the East Java capital of Surabaya.

The suspects will be charged under Article 333 of the Criminal Code on depriving others of their freedom, which carries eight years in jail.

They are also accused of violating Article 83 of Law No. 23/2002 on the protection of children, which carries a maximum penalty of 15-years imprisonment.

The Surabaya Police said on Thursday they had named one of the detainees, identified only as Siani, as the prime suspect in the trafficking of at least 11 children aged between 12 and 18 on Feb. 5.

Siani's two children, Khoiriyah and Rudi, were among the detained suspects, while the other one was Jujuk, said First Insp. Suhartatik of the local police.

She said the police were searching for two other suspects, who are believed to have helped Siani procure children in various areas for sale.

Police said the suspects bought the children for Rp 150,000 each and sold them for Rp 200,000 each. --Antara