Ten victims, including underaged girls, rescued in human trafficking crackdown

The six suspects arrested on charges of trafficking people under 16. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

BÌNH ĐỊNH — A suspected human trafficking ring operating in the Central Regions and Central Highlands of Việt Nam has been dismantled, leading to the arrest of six suspects and the rescue of 10 victims, including at least seven children.

Of the 10 victims rescued in the operation, seven girls under 16 were allegedly forced to work in karaoke bars and motels.

Investigations began in July when authorities detected suspicious activities involving the recruitment and coercion of minors to work in entertainment venues, restaurants, and other businesses.

The Central Region Anti-Drug and Crime Task Force (Task Force 2) under the Border Guard Command quickly launched a crackdown on the network, raiding eight locations in the central province of Bình Định and the south-central province of Phú Yên between August and September.

Six male suspects have been arrested in connection with the ring, including five from Bình Định Province -- Lê Ngọc Linh, 26, Trương Minh Vũ, 36, Lê Đức Dũng, 22, Bùi Đức Tín, 20, Nguyễn Thành Nhật, 29, and 32-year-old Huỳnh Ngọc Anh from Phú Yên Province.

These individuals allegedly transported victims from the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum and force them to work in Bình Định and Phú Yên.

Task Force 2 has pressed charges against the suspects for trafficking people under 16 and handed over the case to Bình Định Police for further legal actions. — VNS