Jakarta, IO – A Bangladeshi citizen named Husson Mukhtar was arrested by Aceh’s Pidie Police. The 70-year-old man was one of the travel agents who facilitate Rohingya refugees’ seaborne journey from Bangladesh to Aceh.
Pidie Police chief Superintendent Imam Asfali said Husson made between Rp7 million to Rp14 million in profit per person. It was estimated that he has pocketed up to Rp3.3 billion running the human trafficking racket so far, per Kompas, Thu (7/12).
HM was arrested when he and his two partners, who are still at large, were transporting 341 people on two boats. One boat landed in Muara Tiga District on Tuesday (14/11) while the other in Batee District, Pidie Regency, Wednesday (15/11).
“Husson disguised himself as a refugee but he was actually the captain of the boat and the operator who determine the route and landing sites,” explained Imam.
Currently, the police are still pursuing his accomplices and uncovering their plan.
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As many as 1,400 Rohingya refugees arrived in Aceh just in the last month. They were sheltered in three different locations: Mina Raya Building in Pidie, the former Lhokseumawe Immigration Office and Sabang Port Free Trade Agency (BPKS) Pier.
Rohingya refugees who landed in Aceh has faced widespread rejection from the local residents. In addition to lack of shelters, the people of Aceh believe that the refugees are being ignorant and disrespectful toward the local customs and social norms. (un)