SHAH ALAM, Nov 4 — The police arrested 36 individuals during the Op Pintas Som raid against an attempt to smuggle people into the country at Sabak Bernam yesterday.
Harian Metro reported that Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the operation was conducted by the Selangor contingent police headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Department (CID), specifically the Anti-Vice, Gambling, and Secret Societies Division (D7).
Of the 36 arrested, 25 were Indonesian nationals, including two children, alongside several individuals believed to be acting as the transporters. The syndicate involved smuggling migrants in and out of Malaysia through ungazetted routes.
"They charged a fee for each migrant which included the cost of transport for travel to various locations in the Klang Valley, with the price varying based on the distance traveled.
"During the operation, police also seized 11 vehicles, 13 mobile phones, and RM4,930 in cash, all of which are believed to be linked to these illicit activities," he said.
Shazeli added the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Air Operations Force (PGU) Drone Unit, the Marine Police Force, and personnel from the D6 Division.
"The case is being investigated under Sections 26A and 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, as well as Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
"Further investigations are underway to identify the syndicate's network, including those acting as operators and coordinators of the migrant smuggling activities," he said.
Shazeli noted that the police will continue to strengthen enforcement efforts to combat migrant smuggling activities that use ungazetted routes, to ensure the security and sovereignty of the nation's borders remain upheld.
