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British
journalist exposes child racket The journalist, Graham Johnson, who was reportedly offered a child for $7,000 by a local child trafficker in Galle, claims he has a dossier of evidence including covert video tapes that could help authorities to prosecute the suspect. Mr.Graham wrote to the Tourism Ministry here, about his findings, on his return to London and the Ministry in turn has handed over the information to the Police Chief. The CID has now taken over the investigation, The Sunday Times learns. Mr. Johnson came to Sri Lanka on January 6 and made contact with a child trafficker on the Galle beach which he describes as being "notorious for pimps touting underaged beach boys for sex." The alleged child trafficker who had posed off as a person bringing aid, to gain access to the refugee camps had shown Mr. Johnson around and asked what kind of child he required. He also introduced Mr. Johnson to a man who he claimed was the father of the child who was to be sold to him. However, according to Mr. Johnson's interpreter who arrived with him here from London, and who wished to remain anonymous, although arrangements were made to bring the child to his hotel in Mount Lavinia just hours before he was to leave the country on January 9, the child trafficker having sensed something, and turned up without the child. According to the interpreter the alleged trafficker had first called Mr. Johnson and said there would be a delay as he had been arrested, but just as Mr. Johnson was leaving for the airport the trafficker had hurried in but had left abruptly. Several attempts to contact him on the phone had failed. Mr. Johnson, the Investigations Editor for the London Sunday Mirror, had on his return to London written a piece on his investigation and expressed willingness to help authorities to bust the operation. |
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