Malaysian police have busted a human-smuggling ring transporting illegal immigrants to Australia and New Zealand.
A modified tanker carrying 131 Sri Lankans including 98 men, 24 women, four boys and five girls was intercepted by police on Tuesday.
Royal Malaysia Police released photos of the tanker, named Etra, and the immigrants pictured among piles of suit cases.
Police chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun said authorities had foiled a ‘cunning’ human smuggling syndicate.
Malaysian police have busted a human-smuggling ring transporting illegal immigrants to Australia and New Zealand (pictured)
A modified tanker carrying 131 Sri Lankans including 98 men, 24 women, four boys and five gives was intercepted by police on Tuesday
‘With these arrests, the Royal Malaysia Police has successfully foiled a large and cunning human smuggling syndicate,’ he said.
‘This syndicate has been operating since mid-2017 and has international connections across Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia,’ he added.
The syndicate was transporting the immigrants using a maritime passage in the waters of Tanjung Gemuk in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Channel News Asia reported.
Three Indonesians and four Malaysians were arrested after police raided a fishing boat transferring the immigrants, according to the publication.
Three Indonesians and four Malaysians were arrested after police raided a fishing boat transferring the immigrants
A spokesperson for the Home Affairs department applauded Malaysia’s ‘disruption of the venture’ in a statement provided to Daily Mail Australia.
‘We are aware that Malaysian authorities have successfully disrupted a large, highly organised people smuggling venture before it could depart,’ the statement said.
‘We applaud Malaysia’s disruption of this venture and look forward to ongoing cooperation to combat people smuggling.
‘This is yet another example of the enduring threat that people smuggling poses across our region.’
Police chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun said authorities had foiled a ‘cunning’ human smuggling syndicate
Royal Malaysia Police released photos of the tanker, named Etra, and the immigrants pictured among piles of suit cases on Saturday