KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department in Sarawak has rescued 12 male Indian nationals who were victims of a human trafficking syndicate. The department conducted several raids from Aug 19 to 22, resulting in the arrest of a local man named Dudley, who is believed to be the mastermind, as well as four other syndicate members aged between 25 and 40, according to Immigration director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh. The victims were forced to pay between RM20,000 and RM25,000 each to the syndicate to facilitate their entry into Malaysia, investigations revealed.
The syndicate has been operational since May of the previous year. They would promise the victims jobs on a ship before transporting them to Malaysia through the KL International Airport (KLIA). Upon arrival, the victims would be flown to Miri and Sibu in Sarawak, Ruslin explained.
Ruslin further disclosed that during the raids, the authorities seized various items, including RM600, 75 Indian passports, seven Indonesian passports, three Myanmar passports, four laptops, and three vehicles.
“The mastermind has been remanded for one week, while the four other suspects, who are all Indian nationals, are being held at Semuja Immigration depot,” added Ruslin.
The 12 rescued victims have been placed at an Immigration safe house, according to Ruslin. He emphasized that the department will continue to take action against those involved in illegal activities and encouraged the public to provide any information to facilitate enforcement actions.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
