Two locals among eight nabbed in Kelantan for smuggling of migrants

Two local men and six Myanmar nationals were apprehended by Immigration Department officials after carrying out operations against a human trafficking ring in Kelantan. Immigration director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh mentioned that through surveillance and intelligence gathering, officers were able to track a vehicle suspected of transporting undocumented migrants on February 21.

The suspects were using the Kubang Kerian-Pasir Puteh route. The team conducting the raid caught up with the vehicle and instructed the driver to halt, but he evaded them initially. However, the vehicle was eventually intercepted at Simpang Tiga, Jalan Bukit Marak/Jalan Peringat in Bachok,” as stated in a release on Tuesday (Feb 27).

The vehicle was being driven by a local individual believed to be the transporter for the syndicate. Additionally, the officers detained three men and three women from Myanmar, ranging from 17 to 25 years old, who lacked valid travel documents.

They were in transit from a safe house to a location chosen by the syndicate, leading the team to uncover a house in Demit, Kota Baru, potentially serving as another stopover for the syndicate. “A local man in his 40s was detained and authorities seized RM4,500 in cash along with a mobile phone,” Ruslin added.

The syndicate usually places undocumented migrants in transition homes within the country before moving them to Seremban and Kuala Lumpur. Ruslin mentioned that the transporter receives RM1,000 to RM1,200 for each trip from the syndicate. The detainees were transported to the Kelantan Immigration Enforcement Division for further measures, and the vehicle used by the syndicate was confiscated.

A total of 15 officers were part of this operation, and Ruslin expressed gratitude towards the public for providing information that led to the apprehensions.