The police were last evening investigating four suspected cases of human trafficking which occurred in the Omai Backdam, Region 7, involving a female shop owner.
Contacted last evening Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed the police investigation but indicated that he could not give any further details as investigators were taking statements from the alleged victims.
However, this newspaper was informed the cases involve a 16-year-old, two 17-year olds and a woman who is 22 years old. Reports indicate that the police were informed of the alleged victims’ presence in the backdam by some Guyana Geology and Mines Commission officers.
However, the shop owner was tipped off and she allegedly paid a car driver to transport the females out of the area; the car was stopped before it reached Linden and the alleged victims were removed.
Initial reports are that the oldest of the four claimed that she was told the shop owner owned a brothel in the backdam and that she wanted females to work.
She then recruited the others and the shop owner sent them $5,000 each to transport them into the backdam. One of the victims last evening complained that she was made to sleep on the floor of the Wismar Police Station.
This newspaper made contact with Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Simona Broomes, who upon hearing that the alleged victims would have slept at the police station expressed the hope that this would be the last such case.
She said the 2005 Trafficking Act makes clear that victims should not be made to feel that they are prisoners or that they had committed a crime.
According to the minister, the government has already identified places in Linden and other areas where suspected victims of trafficking can be held in a safe environment and a police officer can stay with them to ensure their safety. The minister said it is an area that the government will urgent address.
Minister Broomes said it is known that this government has zero tolerance for human trafficking and that every aspect of the law will be enforced including charging persons who transport victims.
Meantime, the minister commended the mines officers for being on the alert and informing the police. She said this is the attitude that is needed by all if human trafficking is to be fought effectively.
