Johor immigration department director Baharuddin Tahir said the foreigners, aged between 19 and 69, were rounded during a six-hour operation dubbed Op Sapu, which ended early this morning.

Those detained were 62 Myanmar nationals, 55 Bangladeshis, 28 Indian nationals, 31 Indonesians (including five women), 16 Pakistani men, two Chinese nationals and an East Timorese man.

Baharuddin said 641 foreigners, including United Nations High Commission for Refugees cardholders, and locals were checked during the operation.

“The settlements, located far from the main road, were in the middle of oil palm plantations, making it easy for them to escape from raids. Fifteen containers had been placed there since April last year for their convenience,” he said.

Baharuddin said the detainees were taken to the Setia Tropika immigration depot for further action.