Australian Authorities Uncover Human Trafficking Ring Linked to Indonesian Recruiter

A 43-year-old man has been charged by Australian police with trafficking a teenager from Indonesia for sex work. An Indonesian woman was also arrested in Jakarta for recruiting victims. The investigation started in December 2022, leading to the discovery of victims trafficked to Sydney for sex work.

A 43-year-old man has been charged by Australian authorities with the trafficking of an Indonesian teenager for sex work, announced the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Additionally, a woman in Jakarta was arrested for allegedly recruiting victims sent to Australia.

This individual faces a charge of child trafficking, which bears a maximum sentence of 25 years imprisonment. He is expected to appear in a Sydney court on Tuesday for facilitating the travel of a 17-year-old for sex work.

The AFP began investigating in December 2022 after receiving reports of foreign nationals being forced into sex work in Australia. By May, nine women were found violating visa conditions in Sydney brothels. Authorities also revealed a 35-year-old woman had fraudulently enrolled students to prolong their stay in Australia and continue sex work. She has been detained as an unlawful non-citizen.

(With inputs from agencies.)