38 held over suspected migrant smuggling via Sungai Kelantan
PASIR PUTEH: A Malaysian man suspected of being a migrant smuggler was arrested with 37 undocumented Myanmar nationals in Kampung Cina, Kota Bharu, yesterday.
In a joint operation by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), 38 people were arrested in Kampung Cina, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, on suspicion of being involved in migrant smuggling through the Sungai Kelantan. The individuals were apprehended following intelligence on potential smuggling activities detected by an MMEA patrol boat near Kuala Besar around 5.20am.
The patrol boat had to evade the fleeing group due to the difficulty in reaching the location in the darkness. Subsequently, a land operations team intercepted the group near the Sungai Kelantan embankment.
The arrest included a Malaysian man suspected of acting as a migrant smuggler, alongside 37 undocumented Myanmar nationals. The group consisted of 25 men, 11 women, aged between 15 and 41, and a six-month-old baby boy. Seven of the Myanmar nationals possessed documents but were unable to provide valid travel records confirming legal entry into Malaysia, while 30 others lacked any identification documents altogether.
A urine test on the Malaysian suspect yielded positive results for methamphetamine. The Malaysian suspect is currently under investigation under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007, while the Myanmar nationals face investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering and remaining in Malaysia without valid travel documents.
All 38 suspects were taken to the Kelantan Maritime headquarters for further investigation, marking the largest such operation by the Kelantan MMEA this year.
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