(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – The police have arrested farmer Dipak J. for his involvement in employing five Guyanese men allegedly without pay.
Police public relations officer Humphrey Naarden tells de Ware Tijd the man has been locked up in the Nieuwe Haven lock-up for employing illegal aliens on his land in Nickerie. Dipak J. faces charges of human smuggling, human trafficking and illegal possession of fire arms.
The news hit the stands when the men escaped and filed charges at the Nickerie police. An investigation learned this is a possible case of human trafficking. The case was then handed over to the Trafficking in Persons department (TIP). Eventually the authorities arrested Dipak J. The case has now been turned over to the Nieuwe Haven criminal investigation department.
Naarden calls on all aliens, whether they are legal or illegal, to report to the police if they have been the victim of human trafficking. He assures they will not get into trouble with the authorities.
The police officer says that victims of human trafficking get a different treatment from the authorities. They should speak out freely even if their captors are police officers who help the criminals. Possible victims have been advised to contact their local embassy.
The police officer admits that the modern slaves are not only foreigners, but also locals. He refers to cases where young girls have been lured to the gold fields for work in shops, but eventually they end up selling a lot more than commodities.
Filed: 30th November 2014
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