A significant migrant smuggling syndicate was dismantled recently with the arrest of two Malaysian men and 33 illegal immigrants in Kelantan. The arrests were part of a coordinated effort led by Immigration Director-General Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, following a series of raids in Kubang Kerian and Lembah Sireh, Kota Baru, on June 10.
The operation involved 19 members of the Special Tactical Unit (Pastak) along with the Kelantan Immigration border risk unit. Acting on a tip-off, the team raided a transit house and apprehended four Bangladeshi nationals. In addition to these arrests, the team detained a Thai woman and two Indian men who were attempting to escape in a car.
Further intelligence led the team to the Lembah Sireh express bus terminal, where two Malaysian men were arrested, each accompanied by a Myanmar national. A thorough search of the terminal resulted in the detention of 24 more illegals, comprising 17 men and seven women.
Datuk Ruslin Jusoh highlighted that the syndicate had altered its modus operandi to evade detection by authorities. They employed motorcycle riders to transport illegals from transit houses to bus terminals, facilitating quicker movement to areas outside Kelantan. This method was intended to minimize the risk of being caught by law enforcement.
The syndicate charged between RM2,000 and RM3,000 for each illegal immigrant. Those detained range in age from 20 to 50 years old. This operation underscores the ongoing efforts of the Malaysian authorities to crack down on human smuggling and protect national security.