(Kedah, 26th) The Malaysian Immigration Department yesterday conducted 'Operation Toyu' at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine Complex (ICQS) in Kedah, arresting 10 people, including a senior immigration officer.
Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria pointed out that this special operation was carried out at 12:50 p.m. yesterday by the Intelligence and Special Operations Team from the Putrajaya Immigration Headquarters, together with the Kedah Immigration Department and the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), after a month of intelligence gathering.
'Among those arrested were a local man and a Thai national, believed to be the “agents” known as Toyu, responsible for arranging foreign nationals' entry. Another local man acted as a “transporter.”
'Additionally, five Indian nationals, one Pakistani national, and a senior immigration officer who acted as an “insider” were also arrested.'
He stated in a press release that preliminary investigations found that one of the Indian nationals arrested was already blacklisted, while the Pakistani national was found using a suspected forged e-visa. The other individuals were illegal entrants.
Zakaria mentioned that authorities seized five Indian passports, one Pakistani passport, a Malaysia–Thailand border pass, an immigration security stamp, 12 mobile phones, and 30,000 Indian Rupees in cash; they also confiscated a Nissan Sentra car, as well as a Honda Wave and a Honda EX5 motorcycle.
He said the syndicate’s modus operandi was to organize the smuggling of foreigners, particularly Indians, through land checkpoints, arranging for “transporters” disguised as taxi drivers to assist, and having involved officers stamp and clear passports without due processing.
'The syndicate charged RM1,000 per person, of which RM400 went to the relevant officers. It is believed the syndicate started its activities earlier this year, causing an estimated national revenue loss of about RM4.1 million.'
He said two local men and one Thai man were arrested under Section 26A of the 2007 Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM), while another local man was arrested under Section 26J of the same act.
'In addition, five Indian nationals were arrested under Section 8(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and the Pakistani national under Section 56(1)(l) of the same act.'
'All those arrested have been taken to the Kedah Immigration Department for further investigation, while two local men and two local women have been summoned to assist in the investigation.'
He said the Immigration Department will not compromise with anyone involved in human trafficking activities, including its own officers, to ensure that national sovereignty and security continue to be protected.
