Aceh. Police foiled an attempt to smuggle 216 Rohingya refugees into South Aceh, arresting three suspects, including one who is a prisoner on conditional release.

Ade Harianto, Director of General Criminal Investigation at Aceh Police, identified the main suspect as H. “We suspect that H, currently on conditional release, is a repeat offender who was previously involved in a Rohingya smuggling case in West Aceh,” Ade said on Tuesday.

Ade explained that H is the owner of the vessel KM Bintang Raseuki, which was used to pick up refugees from the Andaman Sea. 

Investigators suspect that multiple financial transactions are involved, including connections to smuggling networks in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. “We have some leads on potential transactions, but we haven't fully compiled the details yet. However, it's clear that there are costs associated with traveling to specific countries,” he added.

In addition to H, police apprehended three other suspects—identified as F, I, and A—who served as field operatives. They were arrested in Pakpak Barat, North Sumatra. "We are still pursuing several other suspects believed to be part of this international network," Ade explained.

The case emerged after a body was discovered in the waters off South Aceh, prompting further investigations that identified the vessel carrying hundreds of Rohingya refugees.

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