We’re back with more AIM SWAT Updates for 2022! The SWAT Team in Cambodia has been hard at work with the local police to investigate situations of trafficking, arrest traffickers, and rescue survivors. Read more about their cases over the past few months below!
Interested in learning more about the SWAT Team and how they work? Click here!
July 4th
On July 4th, AIM SWAT assisted local police in an operation outside of the city of Kampong Cham that resulted in the rescue of 2 survivors – 1 adult and 1 minor – and the arrest of 1 suspect! The raid was the result of surveillance that confirmed a minor was being sold on the premises for sex.
After the operation, the brothel was shut down and the suspect was charged with child trafficking-related offenses. The minor is now being cared for at AIM’s Restoration Home, while the adult is safe with her family and is being assisted by social workers remotely. AIM’s Legal Team will represent both of the survivors during the upcoming court proceedings.
August 18th
On the evening of Thursday, August 18th, AIM SWAT assisted local police in raiding a brothel that was fronting as a massage parlor. The operation followed covert surveillance which gave probable cause that minors were being sold on the premises.
During the raid, 2 minors were rescued along with 5 adults! One suspect was detained and later charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses.
The minors have been transferred to AIM’s Restoration Home and the adults are now at AIM’s Transitional Home in Phnom Penh. They will all be represented by AIM’s Legal Team in the upcoming trial.
August 19th
On August 19th, AIM SWAT assisted local police in a massive, coordinated raid that included a restaurant/KTV and a collection of nearby guest houses in Siem Reap. This raid followed covert surveillance confirming that young girls were being sold at the restaurant to have sex with customers at the guest houses nearby.
The operation resulted in the rescue of 5 minors and 11 adults! Three suspects have been arrested and charged with trafficking-related offenses. The rescued girls are now being cared for at AIM’s Restoration Home, while the women are being assisted by the local social affairs office. AIM’s Legal Team will represent all 16 survivors in the upcoming court proceedings.
September 2
On Friday, September 2nd, AIM SWAT and local police performed simultaneous raids of a guest house and a KTV in the Kampong Speu province just west of Phnom Penh. The raid was the result of a covert surveillance investigation that confirmed that minors were being sold to customers of the KTV to have sex at the nearby guesthouse.
4 minors and 3 adults were rescued during the operation, while 3 suspects were detained and later charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses. The minors have been transferred to a partner aftercare center where they will receive the love and care they need. The adults were assisted by the social affairs office. All survivors will receive legal aid from our team in the upcoming trial.
September 16
In southern Phnom Penh, AIM SWAT assisted local police in the raid of a massage parlor/brothel on September 16th. The raid was the result of covert surveillance that confirmed minors were being sold for sex on the premises. During the raid, police and AIM SWAT searched the location, collected evidence, and officially closed the business.
During the operation, 2 minors and 1 adult were rescued! 2 suspects – a husband and wife team – were detained. All of the survivors explained that they were sold to customers to the profit of the couple. Both suspects admitted to this as well. They were charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses and will remain in prison until trial. All the survivors are being cared for at AIM’s Restoration and Transitional Homes. AIM’s Legal Team will represent the survivors in all upcoming court proceedings.
Case Update (as of September 2023): AIM’s Legal Team stood with all three survivors throughout the duration of their court case. Both offenders were found guilty at court and sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment each.
But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:24
Stay tuned for more incredible SWAT updates in 2022!
Want to read more about AIM SWAT’s work in 2022? Check out our other updates:
RESCUES MADE POSSIBLE BY…
Thanks to our incredible partners at Operation Underground Railroad, Life Outreach International, and modern-day abolitionists like YOU, we get to rescue these children from the unimaginable. Together we fight against the world’s greatest evil, doing whatever it takes to defeat it.
