Key Takeaways
- A 37-year-old Pakistani man was arrested for allegedly attempting to traffic an Australian woman and her two children.
- The incident was uncovered after a tip-off to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on June 10.
- Police seized electronic devices and documents during a search warrant in Melbourne.
A 37-year-old Pakistani man has been charged with attempting to traffic an Australian woman and her two young children out of Australia, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The case came to light after a member of the public provided information to the AFP on June 10, leading to a thorough investigation.
Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano of the AFP stated that timely information and coordination with community partners allowed investigators to intervene before the alleged trafficking could occur.
On October 9, police executed a search warrant in Melbourne’s Glenroy suburb, seizing a mobile phone, laptop, and documents for forensic examination.
The man was charged with organizing another person’s proposed departure from Australia through coercion, threats, or deception, and obtaining their compliance.
The offense carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison, according to the AFP.
Imbriano urged anyone concerned about possible human trafficking to contact authorities, noting that victims can be isolated or intimidated into believing they have no choice.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the man appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
