Mamasan previously eluding police is captured outside Svay Pak, Cambodia

Several years ago, IJM supported a police operation that leveled a fatal strike against the trafficking of children in Svay Pak, Cambodia. Since then, a small number of brothels offering children have been established, each prompting swift efforts by IJM and police to ensure that the girls are rescued and the perpetrators are brought to justice. One such case went to trial in March 2007. IJM investigative evidence helped to convict five perpetrators, who were sentenced to prison terms of seven, 10, 13, 15 and 15 years respectively. Three of the perpetrators were ordered to pay compensation to the victims.

One of the convicted perpetrators was the mamasan of the brothel, 70-year-old Ba You, a suspect in two other IJM investigations. Even though three separate warrants had been issued for her arrest in the past, Ba You repeatedly eluded arrest by stealing across the border to Vietnam. Just prior to the Svay Pak case, police spotted the fugitive mamasan sitting near the entrance to Svay Pak, and called an IJM investigator to identify her. The police then arrested her on the outstanding warrants. Ba You was sentenced to 10 years in prison.