More than three dozen illegals detained in Johor

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Immigration Department has detained 38 illegal immigrants, including 11 females in a two-day operation held around the state.

Johor Immigration Department director Baharuddin Tahir said the operation was carried out on Monday (Feb 19) and Tuesday (Feb 20) involving personnel from its state enforcement unit and branches in Muar, Batu Pahat, Mersing, and Segamat.

“From the operation, a total of 127 foreigners and locals involving 27 premises around Johor have been inspected, which led to the arrest of 38 illegal immigrants for various immigration offences.

“Those arrested are five male Bangladeshis, 17 Indonesians including eight females, five male Pakistanis, nine Myanmarese including three females, and two Indian nationals,” he said here on Thursday (Feb 22).

Baharuddin said checks on those that have been detained also revealed that one Bangladeshi, who works as a supervisor, allowed illegal immigrants to stay at a premises which he managed.

“One male Indonesian is found to have hired illegal immigrants while another Bangladeshi entered the country using a fake pass,” he added.

He said those that have been detained were between 21 and 58 years, and they are currently being held at the Setia Tropika Immigration depot here for further investigations and action.

Baharuddin added besides the arrests, the department also issued six notices to their employers to assist investigations.

“The department will continue to carry out more operations against illegal immigrants, where action would be taken against them, their employers and premises owners,” he said.