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!
AIM SWAT RAIDS
2 rescued + 1 arrested
JUNE 4, 2022
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.
7 RESCUED + 1 ARRESTED
AUGUST 18, 2022
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.
16 rescued + 3 arrested
AUGUST 19, 2022
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.
7 rescued + 3 arrested
SEPTEMBER 2, 2022
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.
But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:24
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.
