The AFP has charged a Sydney man with the alleged domestic trafficking of children, following a complex AFP-led human trafficking investigation in Australia and Indonesia. The man, 30, appeared before Manly Local Court today 30 October, after he was arrested at Manly yesterday and charged with the domestic trafficking of children and possession of child abuse material. The AFP will allege the man was a senior member of an organised crime syndicate which profited from trafficking women and children from Indonesia to Australia to be sex workers.
The man allegedly trafficked a child for sex work in Sydney on two occasions between January and March, As a result of the investigation, the AFP has removed multiple potential victims from sexual exploitation in Australia. The Sydney man was formally refused bail and is expected to next appear in court on 8 January, He is the second Australian charged under Operation Mirani, an AFP-led investigation which began in December after the AFP received intelligence alleging foreign nationals were arriving in Australia and being forced into sexual servitude in breach of their visa conditions.
An Arncliffe man, 43, was arrested in July, , and charged with one count of trafficking in children, contrary to section The AFP will allege the Arncliffe man is the principal of an organised crime syndicate which profited from human trafficking and worked with an Indonesian-based recruiter to find victims to send to Australia.
The Arncliffe man is remanded in custody and is next expected to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 12 November, An Indonesian woman, suspected of being a recruiter for the criminal group, was arrested by INP in Jakarta in March, , as part of Operation Mirani.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said anyone who sought to exploit and profit vulnerable people through human trafficking should expect to face the full extent of the law in Australia. Foreign workers and temporary visa holders should not be afraid to seek help if they believe they are being exploited while in Australia. If you suspect that you or another person is experiencing, or at risk of, forced labour, or someone you know is being exploited, help is available.
