KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — The Immigration Department (JIM) rescued six Bangladeshi men believed to be victims of human trafficking, during an operation at a shophouse in Klang Sentral yesterday afternoon.
In a statement, JIM reported that in the 3.54pm raid, the Intelligence and Special Operations Division from the Immigration Headquarters in Putrajaya apprehended a 30-year-old Bangladeshi man suspected of being the premises caretaker.
“During the raid, the suspect attempted to flee through a window in one of the rooms — leading to a brief struggle with JIM officers — but failed to escape.
“The suspect has been detained under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and is currently held at the Shah Alam police headquarters lockup in Selangor,” according to the statement.
Investigations revealed all the victims were brought in as tourists, each charged RM15,000, with the syndicate managing their passport, visa, and flight arrangements.
According to the statement, the victims were subsequently housed in the shop, and those wishing to leave were required to pay an additional RM5,000 each.
Following the arrests, seven Bangladeshi passports and seven mobile phones were seized, and all victims, aged between 18 and 41, were taken to a shelter in Tanjung Kling, Melaka, for further action.
— Bernama
