JOHOR BARU: The Johor Immigration Department detained 81 foreign men during raids on several business premises in the Pandan area here.
State Immigration Department director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation, which began at about 10am on Saturday (March 7), was conducted with the cooperation of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency.
He said the raids were carried out following public tip-offs and intelligence on premises suspected of employing or harbouring illegal immigrants.
“Checks found that some of the foreigners were selling fruits, fresh chicken, meat and fish at grocery stores, while others were working at food outlets without valid authorisation from the relevant agencies,” he said.
He added that several of them were also found to be operating and working fully at the premises involved.
Mohd Rusdi said those detained comprised 46 Bangladeshi men, 22 Myanmar nationals and 10 Pakistanis. The remaining detainees were an Indian man and a Nepalese man.
All those detained were aged between 17 and 52. They were held to assist investigations for various offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Mohd Rusdi said the detainees were taken to the Setia Tropika Immigration detention depot for further action.
He added that six Form 29 notices, which are summonses issued to witnesses, were also handed out during the operation to assist investigations.
