MANJUNG, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- A total of 108 individuals, including 103 Indonesian illegal immigrants believed to have been attempting to be smuggled into or out of the country through the waters off Manjung, Perak, were arrested in Op Pintas yesterday.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar said the operation, conducted by the D3 Division of the Bukit Aman CID, also led to the arrest of five Indonesian men aged between 19 and 60, who are believed to be the skipper, boat crew and beach lookouts.
He said the operation was conducted in collaboration with the Marine Police Force, the Manjung district police headquarters (IPD) Criminal Investigation Division, as well as the Pantai Remis and Segari police stations.
“Raids were conducted at two locations, about 0.3 nautical miles off the Manjung waters and in the Pantai Remis area in Manjung,” he said in a statement today.
Kumar said police also found 22 plastic packets containing a substance suspected to be methamphetamine weighing a total of 5.8 kilogrammes, concealed in the clothing and luggage of one of the detainees.
He said preliminary investigations found that the illegal immigrants, who did not possess valid travel documents, were believed to have been travelling into or out of the country through the Manjung coastline using ‘pom pom’ boats.
“The fee charged for each illegal immigrant was between RM800 and RM1,800, paid in cash to the transporters and agents,” he said.
Kumar said the suspects were taken to the Manjung IPD for further investigation under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007.
“The case is also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering Malaysia without a valid pass, and Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for trafficking dangerous drugs,” he said.
He said the Royal Malaysia Police would continue to strengthen security controls in the country’s waters and would not compromise with any party involved in illegal immigrant smuggling activities.
“Firm action will be taken against those involved under the provisions of ATIPSOM 2007. The public is also urged to channel information on such criminal activities to the nearest police station,” he said.
-- BERNAMA