PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department has busted a migrant-smuggling ring following a raid that led to the arrest of 35 foreigners and three Malaysians.
In a statement yesterday, Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the Monday raid in Kota Baru, Kelantan, followed three months of investigation and intelligence gathering.
During the operation, eight vehicles believed to be ferrying illegal immigrants were stopped at a public parking area.
“During the inspection, the transporters acted aggressively and attempted to flee by speeding off, even ramming into several other vehicles, including an operations team vehicle. All were successfully apprehended.
“Several illegal immigrants also exited the vehicles and tried to escape by hiding in nearby bushes, but they were found by the operations team,” he said.
The transporters, comprising three Malaysians led by a suspect known as “Mat Sero” and a Myanmar man, were arrested.
“Also detained were 35 foreign nationals: 22 Myanmar men, 12 Myanmar women and one girl. All detainees were aged between five and 45,” he said.
Investigations showed the group, aided by Myanmar counterparts, brought illegal immigrants into Kelantan through illicit routes before handing them over to local transporters, who would move them to various locations in the Klang Valley.
Each person ferried was charged between RM400 and RM500, depending on the distance travelled. The syndicate is believed to have been active for the past six months.
Investigations are ongoing under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“All suspects have been taken to the Kelantan Immigration Department headquarters for further action,” said Zakaria.
