TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Corps (Bareskrim) exposed a human trafficking case involving criminal syndicates in Abu Dhabi and Damascus.

“We have handled several cases over the last month by cracking down two international human trafficking syndicates in the Middle East,” Bareskrim director Comr. Gen. Ari Dono on Thursday, August 10.

Read: Breaking the Human Trafficking Chain

On July 10, the human trafficking task force together with the Manpower Ministry raided a shelter for Indonesian migrant workers located in East Jakarta under a company named Nurafi Ilman Jaya. They found 10 workers to be sent to Abu Dhabi even though the company’s permit had already expired.

Authorities named six suspects in the case who served the role as sponsors. Commissioner Ari Dono revealed that police received information human trafficking activities conducted by the Damascus syndicate. Police also found a minor who is thought to be a victim of human trafficking holding a fake identity.

The suspects will be charged with Law No 21/2007 on human trafficking practices. They will also be possibly charged with additional laws on protections for migrant workers and children.

“They will be charged with a 3-15 year imprisonment,” said Ari.

ARKHELAUS W.