78 illegal workers from Bangladesh, China detained in Kuantan factory raids
KUANTAN: The Immigration Department detained 78 undocumented foreign workers following a seven-hour raid on three factories in the Gebeng and Gambang industrial areas, with the majority of those arrested hailing from Bangladesh, China and Cambodia.
Pahang Immigration Department director Nursafariza Ihsan told NST today the foreigners were arrested by a 60-member enforcement team during the opeation.
"The operation, codenamed 'Op Gempur Sasar', targeted three industrial premises. We screened more than 300 individuals and detained 74 men and four women, all in their 40s, for failing to produce valid documentation.
"The majority of the offenders were from Bangladesh and China, along with others from Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Their employers will be summoned to assist in the investigation.
"Some individuals attempted to flee upon noticing our presence at the factory premises, but our enforcement team had cordoned off the area and managed to apprehend them," she said.
Nursafariza said the illegal immigrants are being investigated for not possessing valid travel documents and have been taken to the Immigration office in Indera Mahkota for further investigation.
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