Crackdown in Kelantan: Immigration Nabs 27 in Major Migrant Smuggling Bust

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian immigration authorities have dismantled a migrant smuggling network operating in Kelantan, detaining 27 individuals, including 22 foreign nationals, in a coordinated early-morning operation.

The raid, carried out by the Immigration Department at approximately 6:30am on April 8 in Kota Baru, led to the arrest of two local men suspected of acting as “receivers” for the syndicate. Follow-up investigations guided enforcement teams to a nearby residential property believed to be used as a transit house, where another local man, identified as the alleged mastermind, was apprehended.

According to Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, two additional local men believed to be transporters were also detained during the operation.

Among the 22 foreign nationals arrested were two Indian men, three Bangladeshi men, eight Myanmar men, and nine Myanmar women. Authorities said those detained were between 13 and 42 years old.

Enforcement officers also seized several items during the operation, including passports from Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, multiple mobile phones, and five vehicles believed to have been used in the smuggling activities.

Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate had adapted its tactics by using coastal routes to smuggle undocumented migrants into the country. The migrants were then temporarily housed in transit locations to evade detection before being transported to various destinations across the Klang Valley.

Authorities disclosed that transporters were paid around RM100 per migrant, while receivers earned approximately RM250 per individual.

Zakaria noted that the suspected mastermind is linked to a group known as “Geng Borhan” and had previously been arrested for similar offenses but continued operating.

All detainees have been taken to the Kelantan Immigration Office for further investigation and legal action.

The Immigration Department reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying enforcement efforts against migrant smuggling syndicates, stressing that such activities pose a serious threat to national security.

Members of the public are also urged to stay alert and report any suspicious activities related to human trafficking or illegal migration.