KOTA BHARU, May 9 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan Immigration Department has busted a migrant smuggling syndicate after arresting 41 individuals including seven children in an integrated operation in Kampung Kubang Sepat, Pasir Mas, today.
Its director Mohamed Yusoff Khan Mohd Hassan said the operation, which began at 5.30 am, was carried out by the Immigration Border Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the Special Tactical Team of the Intelligence and Special Operations Division from Immigration headquarters in Putrajaya.
"The raid is the result of a thorough intelligence operation conducted over two weeks by the team, which led to the arrest of 41 people, consisting of 35 illegal immigrants from Myanmar, including two boys and five girls.
"All the immigrants arrested were aged between three and 53 years old, while six local men suspected of acting as transporters and caretakers of transit houses were also arrested," he said in a statement today.
Commenting further, Mohamed Yusoff Khan said his party also seized five vehicles, namely a four-wheel drive vehicle, a sports utility vehicle (SUV), a sedan and two motorcycles, believed to be used in smuggling activities, with an estimated value of RM300,000.
"RM820 in cash and Thai Bhat 10,000 were also seized. All foreigners were detained under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007.
"Meanwhile, six local men are being investigated under the same legal provisions for suspected involvement in organised migrant smuggling activities," he said.
-- BERNAMA
