PETALING JAYA: An anti-human smuggling operation by the police led to the arrest of 49 people.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar, in a statement Monday (March 2), said that the operation dubbed Ops Pintas was conducted early Monday morning along the waters of Sabak Bernama.
As a result of the operation, authorities arrested 49 individuals, consisting of fhree Indonesian men believed to be boat operators aged between 42 and 45 years old and around 46 Indonesian migrants, comprising 26 men and 20 women aged between 25 and 40 years old.
“Initial investigations found that the migrants were traveling from the Sabak Bernam coastline to Tanjung Balai using the boat. Each migrant reportedly paid RM1,500 to RM2,000 in cash to a transporter,” he said.
All those arrested have been brought to the Sabak Bernam district police headquarters for further investigation.
“The police stress that it will continue strengthening security within national waters and will not compromise with any parties involved in migrant smuggling activities. Firm action will be taken under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007.
“The public is urged to channel any information related to such crimes to their nearest police station,” he said.
