M'sian authorities rescue 127 Sri Lankan victims of human trafficking syndicate

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian authorities rescued 127 Sri Lankans, believed to be victims of a human trafficking syndicate, onboard a tanker in the waters off Tanjung Gemuk in Kota Tinggi, Johor last Tuesday.
The foreigners, comprising 94 men, 24 women and nine children were found when the modified vessel was intercepted in an operation mounted by the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Attorney-General's Chambers while sailing towards international waters at 2.02am.
In a statement here today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said a 'Class A' local fishing boat which was used to ferry the Sri Lankans from land to the vessel was also seized.
"Three Indonesian men and four locals were also found on the fishing boat which was onboard the tanker," he said in a statement here today.
He added that subsequently, the police detained four locals in Johor Bahru and another in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, all of whom were believed to have been involved in the migrant smuggling syndicate.
Mohamad Fuzi said the operation saw a total of 16 people hauled up, including four Sri Lankans, all of whom were investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007.
"Meanwhile, the 127 Sri Lankans will be charged under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not possessing legal documentation to enter and leave the country through gazetted routes," he said.
Mohamad Fuzi said with the arrests, the police had thwarted a large international syndicate with a network spanning Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The syndicate had been operating since the middle of last year, he added. — Bernama