The authorities have successfully dismantled a syndicate involved in the smuggling of undocumented immigrants into Malaysia. The syndicate, led by a Pakistani man, was apprehended during a series of raids conducted in Kelantan. Eight individuals, all aged between 30 and 50 and of Pakistani nationality, were arrested in the operations carried out on Monday (Sept 11) in the east coast state.
Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, the director-general of Immigration, explained that the raiding team first tracked a vehicle transporting the immigrants in Pasir Mas and subsequently intercepted and detained three Pakistani men. “One of the three men was found to be a transporter for the syndicate. A second team then conducted a raid at a house in Pasir Tumboh, Kota Baru, which served as a transit point. During this operation, five Pakistani men were apprehended, among them the mastermind behind the illicit operation. It was discovered that the mastermind possesses a long-term social visit pass due to marriage to a local individual, while the transporter holds a temporary working visit pass (PLKS),” Ruslin stated in a press release on Thursday (Sept 14).
The items confiscated during the raids included RM2,000 in cash, eight Pakistani passports that lacked entry stamps into Malaysia, and two vehicles used for the purpose of smuggling individuals, Ruslin added.
As explained by Ruslin, the syndicate would arrange for undocumented immigrants to fly from Pakistan to Thailand before transporting them through an illegal jetty into Malaysia. The immigrants would be charged between RM6,000 and RM7,000 for the syndicate’s services. Once in Malaysia, they would be relocated to destinations outside of Kelantan, such as the Klang Valley, Melaka, Penang, and Johor Baru, for employment opportunities.
Ruslin further revealed that the syndicate has been actively operating since May of the previous year, primarily focusing on undocumented workers from Pakistan seeking job opportunities in Malaysia. “Both the mastermind and the transporter are currently under investigation for their involvement in offenses under the Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom). In addition, six other Pakistani men have been detained under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Passports Act 1966,” he mentioned. “All of them are currently being held at the Immigration depot in Taman Merah for further investigation,” he concluded.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
