RFMF shelters three women in suspected sex trafficking case

Three young women believed to be victims of suspected human and sex trafficking are being sheltered at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Joint Task Force Command at Blackrock Camp in Nadi amid concerns they could face victimisation and intimidation.

Commander Joint Task Force Command Brigadier-General Manoa Gadai said he decided to take the women into protective care because of the seriousness of the allegations and their ages.

Before travelling overseas two weeks ago, Brigadier-General Gadai and female military officers conducted inquiries into the matter.

Brigadier-General Gadai said the young women were aged between 16 and 19.

RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai confirmed the team at the Blackrock facility had completed its investigation and handed the matter over to Police.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that an earlier report was lodged at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Suva by one of the victims, who claimed she was subjected to domestic trafficking in Labasa.

Ms Naisoro said the alleged offences involved two civilian suspects. The investigation was completed and the matter was now before the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review.

“Another report was lodged at Lautoka Police Station alleging the involvement of one of the two suspects named in the first domestic trafficking case, where the alleged offences were committed in the Western Division,” she said.

“Claims were also made against two Police officers based in the Western Division regarding their interactions with the victims through one of the suspects.”

Ms Naisoro said the investigation was being led by the CID Human Trafficking Unit, which remained in regular contact with the three victims with support from military personnel at the Blackrock facility.

This masthead is reliably informed that women would be sold for sex to businesspeople in Nadi, allegedly with the knowledge of two police officers in Nadi and social media influencer, Ana Masere, who has had run-ins with the law.

These women claim they were getting paid for “extra services”. Attempts to get Ms Masere’s comments yesterday were unsuccessful.

Ms Masere, who also runs a spa and restaurant in Nadi, has denied allegations of human trafficking.

“They have been working for so long and only reported when I sent them home,” she said last month.

“About the massage, I run a spa like the other spas in Nadi and Denarau areas. I charge $80 an hour for massage. The customer pays the receptionist and goes to the room for massage.

“After one hour, the receptionist checks on the session. All the masseurs sign an independent contractor agreement.”

Ms Masere said workers received a 50 per cent commission from each massage session.