Thanks to their swift action, PDRM in Sabah managed to rescue two Form 2 girls from a human smuggling syndicate involved in prostitution targeting teenage students.
Both underage victims were allegedly recruited by an 18-year-old woman, who is also the main suspect in the case.
According to Superintendent Yampil Anak Ragai, Keningau District Police Chief, the syndicate was dismantled following operations conducted between July 24 and 29 around Keningau and Kota Kinabalu. The police had been monitoring the group after receiving reports from the victims’ parents. In total, four victims aged between 13 and 21 were rescued.
Yampil also revealed that the prostitution activities were carried out in several hotels in Keningau, with social media platforms used to attract customers. Each customer was charged RM200 per service before the victims were sent to the hotels.
The proceeds were then split between the suspect and the victims. Eight individuals, four men and four women, aged between 16 and 43, were arrested in connection with the syndicate.
In an official statement issued on August 16, Yampil confirmed that the main suspect, Elly, an 18-year-old woman who recruited the victims, has been charged in court under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
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“All victims have been taken to Keningau Hospital for medical check-ups and placed at the Women and Children’s Shelter,” he said.
“For the two minor victims, the court has approved a three-month protection order. They will be placed at the Ampang Shelter in Selangor until November 13.”
Yampil also urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspected smuggling or sexual exploitation activities, especially those involving minors.
