KUALA LUMPUR: Seven more men, including a son of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Mohammad, believed to be members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) have been detained in several locations in Pahang and Kelantan.
The suspects aged between 24 and 35 were detained on Thursday (Sept 19) in a special operation codenamed Ops Global.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the suspects were brought to the Shah Alam Magistrate's Court on Friday (Sept 20) for the remand application.
"They have been remanded for seven days until Thursday (Sept 26) to assist investigations under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007," he said when contacted on Friday.
The suspects have been detained at the Shah Alan Central Lockup, the IGP said.
"Investigators have begun interrogating the suspects," he said.
Earlier on Thursday, 19 individuals, including the GISB chief executive officer, his wife and other family members were detained in the city.
They were detained by Bukit Aman CID at about 5.40am following raids on four residential units on Jalan Imbi.
The 12 men and seven women were remanded until Wednesday (Sept 25).
On Wednesday, police recorded the statements of 740 individuals as part of the investigation on GISB.
A total of 10 investigation papers have been opened and police have frozen 96 bank accounts linked to GISB involving amounts totalling RM581,552.
On Sept 11, police rescued 402 children, comprising 201 boys and 201 girls, aged between one and 17, from 20 care homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan in a rescue operation codenamed Ops Global.
There were allegations that the children were abused, exploited and sexually assaulted.
A total of 171 suspects, aged between 17 and 64, were arrested, including a teacher and dorm caretakers.
