At around 9 AM on Wednesday, April 25th, Officers of the Phnom Penh Department of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Police (AHTJPP) together with AIM SWAT Officers executed a raid at a massage parlor in central Phnom Penh. The raid followed a 2-month long surveillance operation after receiving information about a child sex trafficking criminal organization that was recruiting and transporting young girls from Vietnam to Cambodia to be sold for sex.
During the raid, 2 Vietnamese women who were engaged on the Cambodian side of the trafficking operation were arrested, and 2 young minors were rescued. During interviews, the young victims were reluctant to divulge information about the traffickers, most likely due to fear of potential harm to their families in Vietnam if they did speak.
This was an important case that ended in the arrest of high-level people working within this transnational criminal enterprise and has sent a powerful message to the other traffickers involved. Even if the rescued girls choose not to testify, they will be represented by AIM SWAT lawyers throughout the court proceedings. Both girls have been transferred to AIM Restoration Home where they are beginning their recovery.
The two suspected traffickers have been charged with child sex trafficking related offenses and are currently in jail awaiting trial. Following the search for and seizure of evidence, the premise was officially closed by AHTJP Police, the prosecutor, and local authorities.
Police and SWAT officers at the scene following the raid. Young girls rescued during raid.
