Roadshow highlights human trafficking investigations

In 2023, some 123 cases were assessed with suspicion of elements of human trafficking by the Human Trafficking Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Royal Brunei Police.

Six cases were found to have indications leading to criminal investigations for human trafficking.

Head of the Human Trafficking Investigation Unit, Deputy Superintendent of Police Hajah Anis @ Roszaffina binti Haji Ahmad shared information on human trafficking investigations during a presentation at the Department of Labor's first-ever human trafficking roadshow, which continues through June 6.

She also shared information about Chapter 230 of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act. Under Article 5 (1), Chapter 230 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law, convicted offenders will be fined between BND 10,000 and BND 1,000,000 for each trafficked person, at a prison sentence of between four and 30 years and flogging.

Meanwhile, under Article 5 (2), Chapter 230 of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law on Child Trafficking, convicted offenders will face a fine of between BND 10,000 and BND 1,000,000 for each child victim of trafficking, to a prison sentence of between four and thirty years and not less than five lashes.

Under Article 6, Chapter 230 of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law relating to sex trafficking, convicted offenders will be subject to a fine of up to BND 1,000,000, imprisonment between four and 30 years and at least five lashes.

The roadshow brings together law enforcement agencies, which are members of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons, including the Department of Labor, the Department of Immigration and National Registration, the Department Royal Customs and Excise and the Department of Community Development.

The tour aims to strengthen law enforcement agencies in combating and stopping human trafficking in the Sultanate by providing information to first responders and investigators from each law enforcement agency. –James Kon