A 31-year-old man suspected of acting as a land transporter for illegal migrants was arrested together with five Bangladeshi nationals after allegedly admitting to smuggling undocumented migrants into Malaysia 15 times since June.
The suspect reportedly told authorities that he was paid between RM50 and RM6,000 for each migrant, with the amount depending on the distance of the journey.
Southeast Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the suspect was detained at about 5.40am on Sunday while driving a Proton Wira carrying five Bangladeshi men at Lorong Pakat Satu, Pendek.
The five men, aged between 19 and 47, were believed to have recently entered Malaysia from Thailand through the Kelantan River.
“Initial questioning found that the suspect admitted to being involved in migrant smuggling since June and had carried out the activity 15 times, with delivery destinations including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Kelantan,” he said.
Ahmad Radzi said the suspect claimed to have received payments ranging from RM50 to RM6,000 for each migrant. The payments were allegedly arranged by a male and female agent known as “Tugu” and “Emie”, who were believed to be based in Thailand.
He said the payments were made in cash and in person in Kota Bharu after the delivery was completed.
The Bangladeshi nationals were believed to have entered Malaysia through the Kelantan River after allegedly paying RM6,000 each to a Thai female agent.
The raid was carried out by personnel from Task Force Battalion 7 of the Kuantan General Operations Force with assistance from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kota Bharu district police headquarters.
Initial screening also found that the 31-year-old suspect tested positive for amphetamine.
The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007, Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
All suspects and seized items have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division and the Kota Bharu district police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division for further investigation and action.
