Georgetown: A spontaneous raid in Bartica early Sunday morning netted 27 persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking and two alleged traffickers including a woman charged with the offence in 2011 were also detained.
Minister of Social Protection Simona Broomes led an early morning operation at two hotels that led to the apprehension of 29 women from Dominica, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela believed to be victims of human trafficking.
Two perpetrators, who had the victims’ passports in their possession, were also apprehended and are assisting police with their investigations
Broomes, along with a team of officers from the Anti Trafficking in Persons Unit (TIP) and the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO), yesterday executed the operation around 1:45 a.m. at the Platinum International Hotel and the Top Notch Hotel and Bar in Bartica, following a tip-off she received while visiting the area the previous day.
Officials said the women are between the ages of 20 and 30. Four of them are in the country illegally, while some of the others had overstayed their time in the country.
“We have lots of persons who are here illegally. One Brazilian was refused entry into Barbados and she returned here and she has an immigration officer number in her phone that she contacted,” Broomes noted.
Of the 29 held, 11 are likely to face charges and possible deportation, while the others will be assisting in the investigations.
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