Latest news with #ATIPSOM
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Migrant smugling syndicate dismantled, alleged leader nabbed in Johor raids
JOHOR BARU: Malaysian authorities dismantled a cross-border migrant smuggling syndicate in a major night-time operation, arresting its suspected leader — a 38-year-old Indonesian man known as "Dedi," a senior immigration official said. He was among 11 individuals detained during a series of coordinated night-time raids across Kukup, Skudai, and Batu Pahat on May 27. The suspects were aged between 25 and 47. The syndicate, believed to have been operating for at least six months, was smuggling undocumented Indonesians in and out of Johor using sea routes. Backed by anti-trafficking and anti-money laundering units, immigration officers seized key evidence including passports, cash, mobile phones, a multi-purpose vehicle, and a boat — effectively crippling the group's operations. A three-week intelligence-led operation culminated in the successful dismantling of the syndicate. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the syndicate had been active for at least six months and charged each migrant RM2,100 for transport into or out of Malaysia by boat. "Our officers also detained five Indonesian men and one woman, most of whom had no valid travel documents, while one was found to have overstayed," he said in a statement today. These suspects were among the 11 arrested during the operation. Investigations revealed that migrants were temporarily housed in a hotel, believed used as a holding location to avoid suspicion before they were transported by sea between Indonesia and Johor, Zakaria said. Five suspects — three Indonesian men and two Malaysian women — are being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007, while the remaining Indonesians face charges under Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. All detainees were taken to the Immigration Department's depot in Setia Tropika for further action. Zakaria said the department will intensify efforts to clamp down on migrant smuggling operations to protect the country's border sovereignty.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- The Sun
Immigration Dept busts Dedi syndicate, nabs 11 in Johor for migrant smuggling
PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department busted the Dedi syndicate involved in migrant smuggling activities in a special operation conducted around Johor yesterday Its director-general, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said nine Indonesians and two locals, aged between 25 and 47, were detained during a 10 pm operation in several areas, including Kukup, Skudai and Batu Pahat. He said that after three weeks of intelligence gathering, authorities detained an Indonesian man suspected of being the mastermind, known as Dedi, along with two other Indonesian men believed to be tekongs (smuggling agents). 'The operations team also arrested two local women suspected of being 'transporters' and premises caretakers. Also detained were five Indonesian men and one Indonesian woman,' he said in a statement today. He said that preliminary checks found that one Indonesian man had overstayed his visa, while the others lacked valid travel documents or permits to be in the country. The operations team seized eight mobile phones, two Indonesian passports, RM1,173 in cash, a Naza Citra vehicle, and a boat believed to have been used for transporting illegal immigrants. 'The syndicate's modus operandi was to smuggle Indonesians in and out via sea routes to Johor or Indonesia, charging each migrant RM2,100 for the journey,' he said. He said that the illegal immigrants brought in would be housed in a hotel used as a safe house to avoid detection by authorities before moving in or out of Malaysia. 'This syndicate is believed to have been operating for the past six months. 'The department is committed to combating human smuggling syndicates, to enforce the law, and safeguard the nation's security and sovereignty,' he also said. Zakaria added that all those nabbed were sent to the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot here or further action. The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 and Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- The Sun
Dedi syndicate busted in Johor, 11 nabbed for smuggling
PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department busted the Dedi syndicate involved in migrant smuggling activities in a special operation conducted around Johor yesterday Its director-general, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said nine Indonesians and two locals, aged between 25 and 47, were detained during a 10 pm operation in several areas, including Kukup, Skudai and Batu Pahat. He said that after three weeks of intelligence gathering, authorities detained an Indonesian man suspected of being the mastermind, known as Dedi, along with two other Indonesian men believed to be tekongs (smuggling agents). 'The operations team also arrested two local women suspected of being 'transporters' and premises caretakers. Also detained were five Indonesian men and one Indonesian woman,' he said in a statement today. He said that preliminary checks found that one Indonesian man had overstayed his visa, while the others lacked valid travel documents or permits to be in the country. The operations team seized eight mobile phones, two Indonesian passports, RM1,173 in cash, a Naza Citra vehicle, and a boat believed to have been used for transporting illegal immigrants. 'The syndicate's modus operandi was to smuggle Indonesians in and out via sea routes to Johor or Indonesia, charging each migrant RM2,100 for the journey,' he said. He said that the illegal immigrants brought in would be housed in a hotel used as a safe house to avoid detection by authorities before moving in or out of Malaysia. 'This syndicate is believed to have been operating for the past six months. 'The department is committed to combating human smuggling syndicates, to enforce the law, and safeguard the nation's security and sovereignty,' he also said. Zakaria added that all those nabbed were sent to the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot here or further action. The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 and Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Daily Express
23-05-2025
- Daily Express
Indians, Filipinos among 15 held in Immigration Raid on Kota Kinabalu eateries
Published on: Friday, May 23, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 23, 2025 Text Size: The Sabah Immigration Department detained 15 undocumented migrants during an enforcement operation at four eateries in the city centre on Wednesday night. The 7pm operation was led by Sabah Immigration Director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof, alongside top enforcement officials and 63 officers from various enforcement units. Out of 64 individuals screened, 15 were arrested for various immigration offences. The detainees included nationals from India and the Philippines. Violations included the absence of identification documents and breach of visa conditions. All detainees were taken to the Immigration Detention Depot for further investigation and action. The department reiterated its commitment to ongoing operations targeting undocumented migrants and warned employers not to hire or shelter them, stressing that stern action will be taken under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM). * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Immigration Dept nabs 17 bangladeshi illegal immigrants in Kota Bharu
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan Immigration Department arrested 17 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh through Ops Serkap in Kota Bharu on Sunday (May 18). Its director Yusoff Khan Mohd Hassan said the operation, which began at 4pm, involved 15 officers and members of the state immigration enforcement division. "Acting on intelligence, our party inspected foreigners around Pengkalan Chepa here, namely two houses around Taman Seri, a house in Batu 6 Tok Kaya and a kongsi in Mukim Pulau Gajah. "All the foreigners from Bangladesh are aged between 19 and 40 and have been sent to the Tanah Merah Immigration Depot for further investigation," he said in a statement on Monday (May 19). He said 14 immigrants were suspected of infringing Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while three other immigrants believed to be agents are being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) 2007. - Bernama
