The couple have been identified by their initials as HR, 39, and his wife, LJS, 47.
"This case is related to the alleged violation of the act of placing Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) abroad without the complete required documents," East Java Police Chief Inspector General Toni Harmanto informed in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday.
Besides HR and LJS, investigators have also named SR, 50, a resident of Pondok Kopi, Duren Sawit Sub-district, East Jakarta, as a suspect.
Lumajang Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Boy Jeckson Situmorang informed that the case was uncovered based on information received from the public about a shelter for prospective female PMIs in Sukorejo Village, Kunir Sub-district, Lumajang District.
After carrying out an investigation, the team raided the house on March 5, 2023, and found 17 prospective female PMIs from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
"Of the 17 prospective female PMIs, three did not have an identity card and one person was pregnant," Situmorang said.
During the investigation, it was found that the 17 prospective female PMIs had been staying at the house for 10 days. They were waiting for their departure to Saudi Arabia, as reportedly promised by the suspects, he added.
"After carrying out an investigation, our investigators named three people as suspects, namely HR, LJS, and SR," he informed.
According to Situmorang, HR had known SR since May 2022 and the two reportedly collaborated illegally to send prospective PMIs to the Middle East. Meanwhile, HR's wife, LJS, reportedly joined them in October 2022. HR and LJS recruited victims based on requests from SR.
HR and LJS reportedly acted as sponsors. Their alleged job was to create a bureau, look for potential migrant workers, and finance the transportation of victims from their place of origin to the shelter.
From this activity, the husband and wife made a profit of between Rp2 million to Rp5 million per prospective migrant worker, Situmorang revealed.
Since May 2022, the suspects had sent six potential illegal migrant workers abroad. The police managed to thwart the planned departure of the 17 prospective PMIs.
The 3 suspects have been charged under the PMI Protection Act or the Human Trafficking Law.
"We are also developing (a case in keeping) with the Law on Money Laundering Crimes," Situmorang said.
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Translator: Willi Irawan, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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