A human trafficker was apprehended while trying to escape at OR Tambo International Airport.
Photograph: Shutterstock
Liu Liang, a 33-year-old man who had been a high-priority target for over a year while evading authorities, was arrested on September 11 at OR Tambo International Airport as he attempted to leave the country.
His arrest, following a warrant issued in June 2023, marked the latest turn in a human trafficking scandal that rocked the nation last year.
Liang, now facing serious human trafficking charges, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on September 12. His arrest followed intense efforts by the Hawks, The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
“This followed the arrest of three of his alleged accomplices, Thai females; Walairak Thaemchange, 34, Warunee Aryasid, 37, and a Chinese male, Lin Yong Peter Huang, 34. The trio was arrested on Sunday, July 20, 2023, at a house along Johnny Classens Street, Garsfontein, Pretoria,” police spokesperson captain Lloyd Ramovha, said.
The investigation was initiated after a female victim managed to escape and reported her traumatic experience to the Thai Embassy, according to a police statement.
“The Hawks’ Serious organised Crime Investigation team in collaboration with other police units acted on a tip-off following a female victim who managed to escape from her captors and alerted the Thai Embassy about her ordeal of being kept against her will and being sexually exploited at the same premises,“ Ramovha said.
Thaemchange, Aryasid, and Huang were taken into custody on July 20 and subsequently appeared in a Pretoria court. Huang was released on R100,000 bail after several court appearances, while Thaemchange and Aryasid remain in detention.
Liang’s bail hearing has been scheduled for September 25, with the court expected to reconvene on September 27 for further proceedings.
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