A group of Myanmar illegal immigrants attempting to avoid detection by hiding in bushes while waiting to be transported by a migrant smuggling syndicate were arrested during an Immigration Department operation in Kelantan early Thursday morning.
The operation, conducted under Ops Serkap at Jalan Kebun Sultan and Kampung Tal Tujuh, was launched at about 6am following intelligence gathering and surveillance by the Enforcement Division of the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) in Kelantan.
Kelantan Immigration director Garry Belayong Anak John Siki said officers first identified three vehicles believed to be used by the syndicate to transport migrants — a Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz and Honda CR-V. Inspections uncovered five Myanmar men and six Myanmar women who were allegedly waiting to be moved out of the state.
Further searches in the surrounding area led officers to another group of Myanmar nationals hiding among thick bushes in an apparent attempt to evade authorities. Investigators believe they were also waiting to be transported from the location.
“During the inspection, we found 24 Myanmar nationals, comprising 17 men and seven women, concealed in the bushes. They were believed to be waiting for transportation to leave the area,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
In total, 35 Myanmar nationals — 22 men and 13 women aged between 23 and 41 — were detained during the operation. The arrests highlight the continued efforts by enforcement agencies to curb migrant smuggling activities in the state.
Authorities also detained two local men, aged 33 and 45, who are suspected of masterminding and facilitating the migrant smuggling operation.
A total of 14 immigration officers were deployed after receiving information regarding alleged migrant smuggling activities in the area.
All detained migrants are being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. The two local suspects are being investigated under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).
Garry said all detainees, along with the three seized vehicles, were taken to the Kelantan Immigration Office for further investigation and action.
He stressed that JIM would not compromise with any party, including Malaysian citizens, found to be involved in migrant smuggling activities or harbouring illegal immigrants. He also urged the public to report any suspicious activities involving undocumented migrants to the authorities.
