14-9-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) In a significant operation, Malaysian authorities have successfully dismantled a human smuggling syndicate that had been orchestrating the illegal entry of undocumented immigrants into the country. The operation was conducted through a series of raids in the state of Kelantan.
Eight men, all aged between 30 and 50 and of Pakistani nationality, were apprehended during the raids carried out on Monday (September 11) in the eastern coastal state of Kelantan. According to Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, the Director-General of Immigration, the raiding team initially tracked a vehicle transporting undocumented immigrants in Pasir Mas. The team intercepted the vehicle, resulting in the detention of three Pakistani men. Notably, one of the detained individuals was identified as a transporter working for the smuggling syndicate.
Simultaneously, another team executed a raid on a house located in Pasir Tumboh, Kota Baru, which served as a transit point for the illegal operation. During this operation, five Pakistani men, including the mastermind behind the syndicate, were apprehended. It was revealed that the mastermind held a long-term social visit pass, as he is married to a local resident, while the transporter possessed a temporary working visit pass (PLKS).
Several items of interest were confiscated during the operation, including RM2,000 in cash, eight Pakistani passports that lacked entry stamps for Malaysia, and two vehicles utilized for the illegal transportation of individuals.
Ruslin explained, “The syndicate would smuggle illegals from Pakistan by flights into Thailand. They would then be brought to an illegal jetty before being transported into Malaysia. Each undocumented immigrant is charged between RM6,000 and RM7,000 for the syndicate’s services. They will be brought to a destination outside Kelantan such as the Klang Valley, Melaka, Penang, and Johor Baru for work.”
The human smuggling syndicate had been active since May of the previous year, with a primary focus on undocumented workers from Pakistan seeking employment opportunities in Malaysia.
As a result of their involvement in the illicit operation, both the mastermind and the transporter are currently under investigation for offenses under the Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom). Additionally, six other Pakistani individuals are being held under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Passports Act 1966. All individuals involved in the operation are currently detained at the Immigration depot in Taman Merah, where further investigations are being conducted.
