Scores Held After Human Trafficking Raids
Authorities have detained 58 foreigners, including two suspects and 56 victims believed to be involved with human trafficking. Photo: General Department of Immigration (GDI)
- By Lay Sopheavotey
- January 18, 2024 12:00 PM
PHNOM PENH– Authorities have detained 58 foreigners, including two suspects and 56 victims believed to be involved with human trafficking.
The crackdown came after a request for action from Bangladesh on Dec. 14.
National Police inspected a hotel around Wat Phnom area and a guesthouse in Phsar Kandal, Daun Penh district.
The 58 were detained on Jan. 11. Of the victims, 51 were Bangladeshi, four were Indian and one was Sri Lankan. They were lured to Cambodia by brokers to find work and those who did not speak English and have computer skills were sent to Thailand and Malaysia.
The authorities said two Bangladeshis are suspected of being the masterminds involved with illegal immigration.
All victims have been handed over to Caritas Cambodia-Kandal under the coordination of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The suspected masterminds have had their cases sent to the court. Authorities are searching for four other foreign suspects who escaped.
Ministry of Social Affairs spokesperson Touch Channay and Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak could not provide further information, referring the reporter to the General Department of Immigration (GDI).
Deputy director-general and spokesperson of GDI Keo Vanthan could not be reached for comment.
In the first 10 months of 2023, 137 human trafficking and sexual exploitation cases were reported, up from 134 for the same period in the previous year.
The Interior Ministry's Secretary of State and permanent vice-chair of a national committee for countering trafficking Chou Bun Eng said the Kingdom was committed to combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation, saying that the government will continue to strive for human rights and social justice.
Teng Yalirozy contributed to the story.
