LUNDU: The Immigration Department’s Special Action Team (PTK) has arrested 16 undocumented migrants in an operation targeting cross-border smuggling activities in Biawak here on Apr 2.
The department said the arrests were made during Ops Serkap, carried out following intelligence on migrant smuggling and human trafficking activities along illegal routes near the Biawak Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex perimeter.
“A team of nine personnel tracked two vehicles believed to be transporting migrants from a forested area before moving towards the main road.
“The vehicles were intercepted along Lorong Opek 8, Jalan Biawak, where inspections led to the arrest of 16 foreign nationals.
“Those detained comprised 12 men and four women, all suspected of being involved in migrant smuggling activities and lacking valid travel documents,” the department said.
All suspects were brought to the enforcement office for further action, while two vehicles used in the operation were also seized.
The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM), as well as Sections 5(1), 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
