Police Cripple 7 Human Trafficking Syndicates, Nab 38 Suspects

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) has crippled seven human trafficking syndicates operating in northern Malaysia and Southern Thailand, and detained 38 people between March and April this year. The suspects comprise 21 Myanmars, an Indonesian and 16 Malaysians Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said syndicate leaders, two policemen and transporters were among the suspects. "They are detained under Section 26(A) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. "These syndicates operate in the northern areas of Malaysia and Southern Thailand. "Their victims are predominently Myanmars and Bangladeshis. These syndicates are also believed to be involved in the falsification of UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) documents," he said in a statement here Wednesday. Khalid issued the statement at the ongoing 23rd Departmental Review of Joint Thailand-Malaysia Working Committee on Criminal Activities in Phuket, Thailand Wednesday. The four-day meeting ends Thursday. He noted that the close cooperation and partnership between RMP and the Royal Thai Police helped manage and monitor security issues at the common borders. Last Monday, Malaysian police detained 1,018 illegal immigrants on the shores of Langkawi, comprising 555 Bangladeshis and 463 Myanmar citizens. -- BERNAMA