Police to complete probe into human trafficking case this week

IPOH: Police will wrap up investigations into a human trafficking case at a palm oil plantation in Pengkalan Hulu here later this week.
Perak CID chief Datuk Gan Tian Kee said upon completion of the probe, the two suspects are expected to be charged under the Anti Trafficking in Persons and Anti Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
He said to date, the only suspects in the case are the 43-year-old husband and his 24-year-old wife who managed the workers at the plantation.
The remand of the couple who were arrested at the plantation last Sunday expires on Friday.
"We have also recorded statements from the owners of the plantation, welfare department officials as well as doctors to find out to what extent the children had suffered," he added.
Gan was commenting on the case where police rescued 18 people including seven children from the clutches of the couple.
Based on initial investigations, the female suspect had allegedly forced five of the children to work at the plantation without wages.
"If we receive information of children being forced to work, the police will go after those responsible," he said.
Gan also urged the public to be the eyes and ears of the police by taking pictures of child beggars or children being forced to work and alert the police.
"Do not give money to these children as it will encourage the syndicates involved to recruit more youngsters due to the lucrative income.
"The role of the community is to furnish vital information, otherwise they will be seen as less caring,"he added.
On Feb 26, a police team rescued the victims including five men, six women, three boys and four girls aged between two and 17 years of age.
The victims have since been placed at shelter homes in Rembau (Negri Sembilan), Tanjung Kling (Malacca), Subang Jaya (Selangor) and Johor Baru under an interim protection order which expires on March 9.