IPOH: A joint operation by the Manjung district police and the Marine Police has successfully dismantled a migrant smuggling syndicate operating in the area.
The operation, codenamed Ops Taring Landai, was carried out with the support of the Marine Intelligence Unit based in Kampung Acheh.
Manjung OCPD Asst Comm Hasbullah Abd Rahman said police conducted simultaneous raids on two separate premises in the Bandar Baru Segari area, leading to the arrest of three Indonesian men believed to be part of the syndicate.
"Two of them were identified as transporters, while another was acting as a caretaker of a holding house used to shelter undocumented migrants.
"We also detained a total of 72 undocumented migrants, aged between seven and 57 years.
"Those arrested comprise 68 Indonesian nationals – 43 men, 25 women and two children.
"Two Bangladeshi men were also arrested," he said in a statement on Sunday (April 19).
ACP Hasbullah said all the detainees have been taken to the Manjung district police headquarters for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007, as well as Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
