PARAMARIBO, Suriname (CMC) – Police say they have arrested two suspects, including a Cuban, who allegedly brought a woman to Suriname under false pretences and subsequently forced her into prostitution before she was able to escape.

The woman raised the alarm with the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) department last week, and an investigation was launched, leading to the arrest of the two suspects.

The police said that the TIP and other law enforcement agencies arrested the two suspects -Cuban and Surinamese – and that both have been taken into custody following consultation with the Public Prosecution Service.

The police said that their investigations have so far revealed that the victim was brought to Suriname under false promises and that once here, she was allegedly forced to work as a prostitute in nightclubs and a brothel in the interior.

“Additionally, there was a restriction of liberty and intimidation. The victim was allegedly systematically threatened, while the proceeds of her work were taken by others,” the police said, adding that they are examining whether more people are involved in the matter.

The police said human trafficking is a serious crime that often remains unreported and are appealing to citizens to be alert to signs of exploitation and to report suspicious situations.