A disturbing trend is coming out of the western district of Cayo. In less than a month, Police have reported two cases of human trafficking, and in both cases the victims are female 15 year old's.
On the 25th of last month, a 22 year old domestic of Santa Elena reported to the police that a female minor was being abused, exploited and kept against her will at a bar in Bullet Tree village. In addition to the 15 year old minor being required to work at the Riverside Bar, she was also compelled to provide labour at the residence of the owner.
Police acting on the tip, detained 33 year old Estella Pinelo and charged her with the offence of human trafficking. The minor who was located by the police was handed over to personnel of the Human Development department.
Less than a month later, on May 10th, another 15 year old female of Valley of Peace, accompanied by a Justice of the Peace visited the San Ignacio Police station to report that a woman known to her only as Nancy had recruited her to work at her house as a domestic in Santa Elena Cayo. The minor further reported to Police that the woman also attempted to recruit her as a prostitute at a bar called Sierra Friends located at the same premises.
After arresting and charging 54 year old Narcisa Orellana, of the Bradley's Bank area of Santa Elena with Human Trafficking, the Police handed over the minor to the Human Development department. Orellana will appear in court tomorrow.
