IPOH, Oct 8 — The police rescued 12 local girls on the verge of being exploited into becoming beggars in an operation last night.

A man and a woman, in their 40s have been detained to facilitate investigations under Section 44 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007.

Perak CID chief, Datuk Gan Tian Kee said the victims aged between 11 and 13 were rescued in a two-hour operation dubbed ‘Ops Pintas’, beginning 11.15pm.

He said the operation involved the Perak Anti-Vice, Gaming and Secret- Societies Division, together with the state social welfare department.

"The suspects were believed to have been involved in the exploitation of the children to become beggars, sell medical herbs and Islamic calendar,” Gan said in a statement here today.

According to Gan, police also seized 376 bottles of medical herbs; RM2,993.80 in local currency and Indonesian currency worth Rp100,000; notebook with records of money collection and two passports from the suspects.

The police chief said the two suspects were remanded for five days, beginning today, to facilitate investigations under Section 14 of the Act.

Meanwhile, the 12 children have been placed for 21 days at a women and children shelter in Rembau, Negri Sembilan. — Bernama