TNI AL detains suspected human trafficker in Karimun

The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) security team from Lanal Tanjung Balai Karimun detained a man suspected of human trafficking at the Tanjung Balai Karimun Port in the Riau Islands on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

The suspect, identified by the initials DA (37) from Central Java, is accused of defrauding and exploiting seven crew members of the vessel KM Bintang Terang. The victims, hailing from various regions including Jakarta, West Java, and South Sumatra, were reportedly lured with promises of four-month work contracts on squid fishing vessels and initial loans ranging from Rp 6,000,000 to Rp 7,000,000.

Upon arrival at the port, the suspect allegedly unilaterally extended the work terms to eight or ten months and confiscated the victims' identity cards to prevent them from fleeing.