4 ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001302

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL/G/TIP AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ELAB SMIG PREF CASC KCRM KOCI KWMN HO
SUBJECT: 4 ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
(INCLUDING MINORS)



1. Four Hondurans were arrested Thursday, June 9, 2005 in
raids conducted by Honduran officials utilizing experience
derived from INL-funded training provided to the Frontier
Police Migration Unit. Nancy Rosales Martinez, her husband,
mother, and sister-in-law are charged with trafficking in
persons; all are claiming innocence. The suspects are jailed
in La Ceiba, and the case has been turned over to the public
prosecutor for organized crime, Ana Dominguez.


2. Ms. Martinez, the alleged leader of the ring, and her
husband are suspected of charging between ten and fifteen
thousand dollars to illegally transport women (some minors)
to the United States. Once in the U.S., the women are
allegedly forced to work in bars and other establishments,
where they may be subject to sexual assault and prostitution.
(COMMENT: New Jersey has an outstanding warrant for Ms.
Martinez's arrest. She previously lived in that state, but
fled in 2004 when her two sisters were arrested for crimes of
forced labor and sexual exploitation. END COMMENT.)

Palmer