By Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: A human trafficking ring has been successfully dismantled authorities in Suriname have disclosed. Several suspects, including the ringleader, have been arrested, police spokesman inspector John Jones told reporters.
The gang allegedly provided fake residence permits and other documents for illegal Chinese immigrants. According to the police, the suspects were requesting between US$1,500 and US$2,000 for the documents.
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| Floren Daniels |
Meanwhile, a number of illegal Chinese nationals who had the false documents in their possession and several gang members have been incarcerated.
“At this moment, we (the police) won’t disclose the number of individuals we have arrested, since the investigation is ongoing and we can’t risk jeopardizing it,” said the police spokesman.
He further disclosed that the gang were using forged signatures of justice minister Chandrikapersad Santokhi and other officials, while they also used fake stamps of several government agencies.
The main suspect, Floren Daniels, was arrested Sunday by officers of the SWAT-team of the Suriname Police Force (KPS). Shortly after police received information on the illegal activities, judicial authorities launched a thorough investigation and subsequently issued a wanted bulletin for Daniels, while an international warrant against the main suspect has been issued by Interpol.
It is widely suspected that, more frequently, human traffickers are conducting their illegal trade in and through Suriname. Speculations about Chinese criminal gangs, the so-called Snake Heads involved in trafficking and other illegal activities in Suriname are on the rise, but so far investigations by the authorities have been unsuccessful.
It is alleged that numerous Chinese immigrants who entered the country either legally or illegally are victims of human smugglers and traffickers. Chinese nationals transiting Suriname risk debt bondage to migrant smugglers; men are exploited in forced labor and women in commercial sexual exploitation.
During the past 15 years, numerous Chinese businesses, including hardware stores, massage salons, supermarkets, car wash facilities, roofing industries, restaurants and saw mills have been established, employing mainly Chinese immigrants.
For the past several years, the government made significant efforts to fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Authorities increased law enforcement actions, improved efforts to identify and assist victims, and launched new training and public awareness efforts.
Currently, legislation to criminalise all forms of trafficking is being drafted while authorities continue tot improving procedures to prevent entry and exploitation of foreign victims. | 
