Twenty-one Bangladeshi nationals were arrested by the Malaysian Immigration Department during a raid aimed at combating human trafficking. The operation took place in Maluri, Kuala Lumpur, according to a report from Malaysian news agency Bernama on Sunday.
Malaysian officials reported that they dismantled a human trafficking ring and detained 21 Bangladeshi nationals on Thursday, reports New Age.
Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, the director-general of the immigration department said that three of the detainees are thought to be key members of the syndicate. The agency also confiscated 18 Bangladeshi passports, RM990 in cash, and a suspicious invitation letter for a sports competition, including the event's schedule.
He added that two of the men had temporary employment visit passes, while the third had exceeded his visa limit. All three are between 21 and 33 years old.
The syndicate brought in foreigners, especially from Bangladesh, and had them pose as athletes in sports gear to evade authorities. The director general of the immigration department also mentioned that they arranged return flights to Bangladesh and booked budget hotel rooms in Kuala Lumpur a day before the fake match to trick officials.
According to the Bernama report, the syndicate reportedly charged between RM2,000 and RM5,000 per person and had been operating for the past four months.
All 21 detainees were taken to the Lenggeng Immigration Depot for suspected offences under different sections of the Malaysian Immigration Act, as well as the Immigration Regulations 1963 of the Southeast Asian country.
The agency did not share any information about the arrested individuals. The Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur could not be contacted for a comment over the phone, despite multiple attempts on Sunday.
Bd-pratidin English/Afia
