Melaka Police Arrest 15 Myanmar Nationals in Human Trafficking and Smuggling Crackdown

MELAKA: Melaka police have detained 15 Myanmar nationals suspected of involvement in human trafficking and migrant smuggling following a targeted enforcement operation in Ayer Keroh.

The suspects, comprising 10 men and five women aged between 21 and 39, were arrested during an Op Pintas raid carried out at a hotel lobby at about 5.00 pm on Thursday. The operation was conducted based on intelligence gathered by the D7 Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Melaka Police Contingent Headquarters, in collaboration with the D7 CID of the Melaka Tengah district police headquarters.

Melaka Tengah District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Christopher Patit said initial investigations indicated that one of the detainees is believed to be acting as an agent linked to human trafficking and migrant smuggling activities.

“Police seized a motorcycle and a mobile phone believed to be connected to the offense from the suspect,” he said in a statement issued on Friday.

All 15 individuals have been remanded until Jan 15 next year to facilitate investigations under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, as well as Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

ACP Christopher also expressed appreciation to members of the public for providing actionable information that led to the arrests. He urged anyone with further information on criminal activities to contact the Melaka Tengah district police headquarters at 06-284 2222.

Police reaffirmed their commitment to combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling activities in the state through continued intelligence-driven enforcement operations.