KOTA KINABALU, July 2 — Police have apprehended a foreign couple suspected of trafficking at least seven Filipinas, including two teenagers, believed to be for vice activities.
State criminal department chief Datuk Salehhudin Abdul Rahman said that the two were operating under a smuggling ring called “Lady Gaga” and have been active for at least a year.
“Police have arrested the two suspects, the woman, a 30-year-old Filipina with no valid documents while the man is a 24-year-old Filipino with permanent resident status, to facilitate investigations into the syndicate,” he said.
Police from a special human-trafficking task force had on 2.00am Wednesday morning raided a terrace house in Jalan Penampang, Lido based on investigations and information received.
The team broke the grill and lock of the house when occupants did not open the door, and upon inspection, found six women in one room while the two suspects were found in a separate room.
Further investigations revealed that the six women, all without documents, were from the Philippines and aged between 15 and 30 years old.
“Three of them, including the 15-year-old were brought into Kota Kinabalu in the last two weeks while the rest has been here between eight months to a year,” said Salehhudin.
Based on new information, the same team later raided a hotel room in Bandaran Berjaya in the city centre at 3.30am and rescued a 16-year-old Filipina also believed to be a victim of the human trafficking syndicate and who was brought into Sabah in the last two weeks.
The suspects are under a seven-day remand ending July 7, while the case is being investigated under Section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which carries imprisonment term of not less than three years and not exceeding 20 years or fine, upon conviction
“All the victims are currently under the care of the Welfare Department’s shelter while the case is ongoing,” said Salehhudin.
