Two Teenage Girls Exploited as Sex Workers in Kupang, Suspect Arrested
A young man with the initials BAJH (23) was arrested by police whilst staying at a hotel in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday of last week. He is suspected of exploiting two teenage girls to provide sexual services to clients.
“The arrest was indeed made in connection with allegations of child exploitation and indecent acts that occurred at one of the hotels in Kupang City,” said Head of Public Relations for the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (Polda NTT) Kombes Henry Novika Vhandra to detikBali on Monday (16 March 2026).
Henry explained that the arrest stemmed from a report numbered LI/03/Res.1.24./III/2026 from the Directorate of Children and Women Protection and Public Order (Ditresppadanppo), as well as an investigation warrant numbered SP.Lidik/53/III/Res.1.24./2026/Ditresppadanppo concerning allegations of child exploitation or facilitating others in committing indecent acts.
Based on the report, police conducted an investigation on Saturday (14 March) at approximately 22:00 Wita at a hotel in Oebobo District, Kupang City.
The operation was led directly by the Deputy Chief of the Children and Women Protection and Public Order Directorate of Polda NTT, AKBP Samuel Sumihar Simbolon, involving 10 personnel.
During the operation, police went undercover whilst monitoring the suspect and observing the whereabouts of the victims: YSP (20), ABA (17), and RSD (17). After confirming the situation was safe, police arrested BAJH as he attempted to leave the location.
According to Henry, the operation also secured three women suspected to be victims. Additionally, a female witness with the initials RRM (25) was also brought in for further questioning.
“During the operation, we also secured several pieces of evidence including one motor vehicle and one motorcycle allegedly connected to the incident,” Henry explained.
Subsequently, the suspect along with the three victims and the witness were brought directly to the Directorate of Children and Women Protection and Public Order of Polda NTT for further investigation and specialist care for the child victims, with support persons involved.
“We emphasise that Polda NTT will not tolerate any form of criminal activity involving child exploitation,” said Henry.
Currently, BAJH remains under investigation at the Directorate of Children and Women Protection and Public Order of Polda NTT. Polda NTT has ensured that the victims receive support and protection in accordance with established procedures for handling such cases.
“Investigators are currently undertaking a series of follow-up steps, including preparation of a police report, questioning of victims, witnesses and the suspected perpetrator, gathering evidence, and case deliberation to determine the further legal status of the suspected perpetrator,” Henry concluded.