KOTA BARU: Human trafficking syndicates operating along the Malaysia-Thailand border have changed their modus operandi by using homestays as transit points to hold undocumented migrants.
General Operations Force Southeast Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the new MO was detected recently, with a raid early today seeing the arrests of 15 undocumented migrants at a homestay.
He said the raid was carried out about 4am at Kampung Kota by GOF policemen from its Strike Force and the Seventh Battalion.
“After conducting surveillance for about 30 minutes, GOF personnel entered the premises.
“They found 10 undocumented migrants in the living room, while the rest were in bedrooms and near the kitchen.
“The 15, including two women, were arrested for failing to produce valid travel documents to enter Malaysia legally,” he said.
Radzi said the foreigners, from Myanmar and Nepal, aged between 19 and 37, were waiting for transportation to leave the state.
“Initial investigations revealed that they were left at the homestay by syndicate members, who are now using such premises to evade detection.
“Previously, the syndicate used budget hotels and private houses as transit points before sending migrants out of Kelantan,” he added.
He said the 15 were detained for further action under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Radzi said the GOF would intensify monitoring and inspections along the Malaysia-Thailand border to curb human trafficking and migrant smuggling activities.
Smuggling activities along the Malaysia-Thailand border are common due to its long and porous terrain, which is frequently exploited by syndicates involved in human trafficking, migrant smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
