The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and National Registration Department (NRD) have revealed that they managed to foil a syndicate smuggling illegal immigrants from the Philippines into Peninsula Malaysia. According to BERNAMA, the syndicate smuggles Filipino illegal immigrants by air from Sabah to the Peninsula.
Made under Ops Lancar, 15 individuals were arrested in raids in Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Tawau on Thursday (23 March 2023). Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi asserted that the action was made following information provided by a Filipino arrested in the Klang Valley some three months ago.
Besides that, MACC also detained five Immigration Department officials in Tawau to assist with investigations. Ruji Ubi elaborated,
“Ops Lancar at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) led to the arrest of eight Filipino immigrants who managed to get past information checks from Tawau to Kuala Lumpur. Six immigrants were found to have identity cards belonging to others while two others, including a 21-month-old toddler, did not have any identification documents,”
He further commented that more follow-up arrests may be made as investigations are ongoing, though the matter would be left to the police and the operations team to decide. Following Ops Lancar, a Filipino couple with fake identity cards was arrested at the syndicate’s transit house in Bandar Seri Alam, Masai, Johor.
Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi
Moreover, intelligence also found the involvement of agents or syndicates in managing the entry of Filipino illegal immigrants from Sabah to Peninsula Malaysia, including managing the entry of Filipinos who have been subject to legal action for various offences. The syndicates are believed to be active for two to three years, charging payments of RM2,500 per person.
Besides that, the Ops Lancar team and the police on Friday (24 March 2023) tracked down the location of the actual owners of the MyKad used by the syndicate. Accordingly, seven MyKad owners were detained at various locations for further investigation.
So, what do you guys think of Ops Lancar? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
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