ROXAN Wynter, 21, who appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday to answer to charges of human trafficking and procuring sexual intercourse will return to court on May 30.

Wynter, of Lorraine Avenue in Kingston, was arrested after police from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons, Intellectual Property (aTIP-IP Vice Squad), acting on a report about suspected human trafficking, launched an investigation which resulted in the rescue of a 14-year-old girl.

The teen was allegedly taken by Wynter to several places in Kingston and St Andrew where she was threatened and forced to have sex with men in return for cash, which was taken from her by her alleged trafficker.

Acting on information, the TIP-IP (Vice Squad) carried out an operation on Saturday, March 25 at 44 Lorraine Avenue in Kingston where Wynter was arrested and placed in police custody. She was formally charged for the offences of human trafficking and procuring sexual intercourse four days later.

Police say she could also face an additional charge of living off the earnings of prostitution.

In the meantime, Deputy Superintendent of Police Carl Berry said that other people were being sought in relation to offences committed against the victim.

“I must commend the team at the anti-Trafficking in Persons, Intellectual Property Vice Squad for the excellent investigative and policing work that was done and to our colleagues at the Duhaney Park Police Station for the support and cooperation that was critical to bring about the rescue of a minor from the clutches of human trafficking and to bring the alleged trafficker before the courts,” Berry said.

And Carol Palmer, chairman of the National Task Force against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), has urged the public to be alert to unusual activities that may be taking place in their communities.

“Human trafficking is a crime with many faces and it could be happening in your home or community. Sexual exploitation is one of the most common forms of human trafficking in Jamaica and involves activities such as prostitution and pornography. Parents and responsible members of communities should educate themselves and provide guidance and advice to young people to help them identify and avoid situations that may lead to them being exposed to and becoming victims of human trafficking,” said Palmer.

The NATFATIP recently launched its country tour campaign against human trafficking with the distribution of more than 7,300 pieces of literature on human human trafficking, regarded as a form of modern day slavery that involves three inter-related activities of recruitment by deception or force; transportation across borders legally or illegally or within a country; and exploitation.