Seventeen people, including a monk, have been arrested in connection to an online sex trafficking ring that was busted in Mount Lavinia on 7th June.
A man was arrested and remanded on charges of operating an online sex trafficking ring, using a 15-year-old girl, from his apartment in Mount Lavinia.
The victim’s mother and the wife of the chief suspect were arrested following investigations launched by the Police Children & Women Bureau.
Following further investigations conducted by the Bureau, a total of 17 suspects have been arrested for aiding and participating in the online sex trafficking ring.
The chief suspect is reported to have sold the teenager to various individuals over a period of 3-months in exchange for cash ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 30,000.
The Police said the victim’s mother, the chief suspect’s wife who had transported the victim to customers, and the drivers of a three-wheeler and a car who had provided transportation facilities are among the suspects.
Meanwhile, a monk and the man who had created the online portal to operate the sex trafficking ring are also among the 17 suspects arrested thus far.
The Police said the victim had revealed during interrogations the details of 20 other people who had participated and aided the sex trafficking ring.
The Police Children & Women Bureau has launched investigations to ascertain the identity of these individuals.
The Police said charges of sex and human trafficking will be filed against the suspects who have been arrested so far in connection to the online sex trafficking ring. (NewsWire)