The syndicate attempted to transport illegal immigrants into the country using Thai tourist vans.
PUTRAJAYA: A motorcycle repeatedly travelling around Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, has led to the discovery of a syndicate smuggling illegal immigrants.
The Director-General of the Immigration Department, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, told Sinar Harian that the department dismantled a human trafficking syndicate in a special operation conducted in the district on Wednesday (Nov 20).
He said the operation, which began at 9pm, involved a team of officers and personnel of various ranks from the Special Tactical Unit, the Intelligence and Special Operations Division at Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya and Kelantan.
He explained that based on two weeks of information and intelligence, the operation team was deployed to the location and identified a suspicious motorcycle.
The motorcycle was seen transporting passengers from an illegal base to a waiting van.
"The operation team acted to surround the location and successfully detained the van and motorcycle.
"A Thai national believed to be the 'mastermind', another Thai national believed to be the 'transporter', two Malaysian men, and four Thai nationals believed to be syndicate members were arrested.
"A total of 47 individuals were detained, aged between 34 and 67," he said in a statement on Friday (Nov 22).
Zakaria added that further inspection of all vehicles led to the detention of 13 Indonesian men, 22 Indonesian women, two Thai men, one Myanmar man, and one Thai woman, aged between 20 and 58.
He clarified that the total number of individuals detained was 47.
Additionally, the operation seized 39 passports, comprising 35 Indonesian and four Thai passports, as well as border passes.
They also seized seven mobile phones, cash totalling RM6,510, Rupiah 706,000, and 11 Singapore Dollars.
"Six vehicles were also seized, including four Thai commuter vans, a Naza Ria, and a Honda Wave motorcycle believed to have been used to transport illegal immigrants," he stated.
Zakaria said the syndicate's modus operandi was to target foreign nationals who were blacklisted and wanted to enter Malaysia.
He explained that the illegal immigrants would be brought into Malaysia through illegal bases in Rantau Panjang to destinations around the Klang Valley using Thai tourist vans.
He noted that the fee charged was between RM3,000 and RM6,000 per illegal immigrant, depending on nationality.
He further stated that the syndicate is believed to have been operational for two months.
"Two Malaysian men and six Thai men were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007.
"Meanwhile, the other foreign nationals were detained on suspicion of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63," he added.
He stated that all those detained were taken to the Enforcement Division Office, JIM Kelantan, for further action.
"The Immigration Department greatly appreciates the information provided by the public, which led to the dismantling of this syndicate.
"The department will continue to take firm action against any party found guilty under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966, and ATIPSOM 2007," he stated.
