Three crime groups crippled
Migrant smugglers caught in raids
KUALA LUMPUR: A series of raids across three states has effectively dismantled three organised crime groups which were smuggling illegal migrants into the country.
The raids were conducted from June 4 to June 20, said Federal CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed,
“The gang leaders and its members have been caught and charged with migrant smuggling before but the gangs continued to exist. Their numbers grew as the days went by and their activities became more serious.
“The objective of these operations was to dismantle the Otong gang in Johor, Halim Gang in Perak and Husen Maungdaw Gang in Penang. A total of 111 suspects aged between 28 to 68 years old were arrested,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
The cases are also being investigated for organised crime as well, he added.
“This is the first time we had taken action on these migrant smuggling groups for organised crime. When they are charged later, there will be no bail.
“The Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) team is also involved and they have started their investigations,” he said.
Investigations showed that the Husen Gang, which was led by a Rohingya man, was also known to rob other Rohingya.
As of now, 50 suspects in Johor, 13 suspects in Perak and 18 suspects in Penang will be charged on July 2.
The police also arrested 24 enforcement officers during those operations.
“In Johor we arrested 14 police officers and five Armed Forces officers. In Perak, three police officers were caught and in Penang we apprehended two Immigration Department officers.
“All are still being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) for further investigations linked to migrant smuggling,” he said.
Comm Huzir also pointed out that one suspected arrested in Selangor tested positive for Covid-19.
“Due to that, about 100 from Selangor CID had to be quarantined for 14 days. They have completed their quarantine period,” he said.