Police on Tuesday, 8 September arrested three suspects on suspicion of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. They are two Cuban women and a Surinamese man. Several suspected victims were found during a raid on a home on Kashmirstraat in Paramaribo.
The operation was carried out by officers of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) department, with support from the Regio Bijstand Team Paramaribo (RBTP) and the intelligence services. Police acted after receiving information that possible victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling were at the address.
The individuals found were taken to the TIP department’s shelter for care and further assistance.
Forced to work in nightclub
According to police, statements made so far indicate that the victims were allegedly brought to Suriname and subsequently forced to perform sex work in a nightclub in Paramaribo-Noord.
Through this work, they had to repay an imposed debt. The victims also stated that their freedom of movement was restricted and that they had to hand over all income from their work.
Following consultation with the Openbaar Ministerie (Public Prosecution Service), the three suspects were remanded in custody. The criminal investigation into the case is still ongoing.
