Human-trafficking ring busted in Klang

KUALA LUMPUR: A human-trafficking syndicate, which smuggled migrants to Australia and New Zealand, was busted with the arrest of 37 people from Sri Lanka and India, says Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

Bukit Aman conducted various raids in Klang on Jan 4 and arrested 34 migrants – 24 from Sri Lankans (12 men, eight women and four children) and 10 Indian nationals (four men, three women and three children), said the Inspector-General of Police.

“We believe the syndicate has been operating since the middle of last year and it has a network that encompasses Sri Lanka, India, Australia and New Zealand. We also arrested three Sri Lankan men believed to be syndicate members,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The syndicate bought a tourist boat and was in the process of acquiring three boat engines for the purpose of smuggling the migrants to Australia and New Zealand, the IGP added.

“Their main route to Australia and New Zealand is via a maritime route in Klang.

“We are investigating further to uncover the extent of the syndicate and its smuggling network,” he said.

Those arrested are being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/53 for entering the country illegally and attempting to leave via the same means.

Mohamad Fuzi vowed that efforts to track down and arrest those involved in human trafficking would be stepped up.