14 Sep 2012

Fiji's Immigration Department investigates allegations of human trafficking

8:25 am on 14 September 2012

Fiji's Immigration Department is now investigating allegations of human trafficking and a prostitution ring.

Fijivillage online says the information was revealed after an informant contacted the Immigration Director Major Nemani Vuniwaqa.

Major Vuniwaqa says an Asian woman had managed to speak to a local saying she

and two other Chinese women were forced into prostitution after arriving in the country last Friday.

A raid was then conducted at a Suva hotel early yesterday and three Asian women and two Asian men were located in three different rooms.

Another person, who holds a Fijian passport, is also being questioned.

Major Vuniwaqa says it appears the women were promised work in Fiji and when they arrived their travel documents were taken by some individuals and their movements were controlled.

He says they are now trying to get in more local contacts adding that more people are involved.