Kelantan police rescue 97 human trafficking victims from Myanmar

Kelantan police rescue 97 human trafficking victims from Myanmar

Cops nab Thai national after he was seen bringing food to the victims hiding in an undergrowth next to a padi field.

None of the 97 Myanmar nationals, comprising 78 men and 19 women, were found to have valid documents to enter the country. (PDRM pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Ninety-seven Myanmar nationals believed to have been trafficked into the country were found hiding in an undergrowth next to a padi field during a raid in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, on Friday.

Kelantan police chief Zaki Harun said none of the 78 men and 19 women had valid documents to enter the country, Sinar Harian reported.

Zaki said the raid followed a surveillance exercise conducted on the area by the local police and personnel from the General Operations Force and Strike Force.

“A man suspected of being involved in human trafficking activities was found to have entered the undergrowth carrying food packets in a suspicious manner,” he was quoted as saying.

“The Thai man then handed food to a group of men and women who were hiding in the area.”

He added that all 97 individuals, who are aged 16 to 58, were detained under the Immigration Act.

Zaki said the Thai man was found to have a mobile phone on him and RM3,000 in cash believed to be the proceeds of human trafficking activities.

He has been arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

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