PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department has crippled a migrant smuggling syndicate known as "Geng Ashraf" following a raid on a house used as a transit point in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the operation, carried out by its enforcement division, took place at 12.40am on Friday (April 3).
Enforcement officers broke through the gate and main door.
"A total of 27 Bangladeshi men, believed to have been smuggled into the country, were detained. Initial investigations revealed that they entered a neighbouring country three days before being smuggled into Malaysia," he said in a statement on Friday (April 3).
Zakaria added that three other Bangladeshi men, suspected to be syndicate members acting as facilitators, were also arrested.
The syndicate, believed to have been active since January 2025, allegedly brought foreign nationals into the country via a third country, entering illegally through Kelantan before transporting them to the Klang Valley.
"With fees of up to RM8,000 per migrant, the syndicate is estimated to have generated about RM2.4mil in profits since it started," he said.
All detainees, aged between 20 and 49, have been placed at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
Zakaria also urged the public to convey any information about an influx of foreign workers at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) in Kedah to Immigration.
"The public is encouraged to report suspected immigration offences through official channels, including the department's hotline, email and the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) portal.
"The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential, and all information received will be assessed before any further action is taken," he said.
