MACC chief Azam Baki said the senior officer is believed to be the mastermind behind the syndicate, which facilitated the entry of foreigners through the country’s entry points without undergoing proper immigration checks.

At a press conference here today, Azam said a total of 50 enforcement officers have been arrested in connection with MACC’s investigation – 49 from the immigration department and one from the police – and 37 investigation papers were opened.

He said three separate operations had been carried out when busting the syndicate, with over RM1 million worth of seizures made by MACC, including 22 vehicles and 27 gold dinars.

“A total of 215 bank accounts have been frozen, with a combined total of more than RM3 million,” he said, adding that these accounts belong to immigration officers and agents acting for the syndicate.

Azam said the human trafficking ring was busted after six months of intelligence work, which was mobilised after MACC was tipped off by a whistleblower.

MACC previously said the syndicate smuggled foreigners – from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Nepal – through the country’s entry points without undergoing checks by immigration.

It is believed to be led by several enforcement officers stationed at the nation’s entry points who facilitated the entry of the foreign nationals.

The immigration officers linked to the syndicate reportedly received between RM500 and RM3,500 for each migrant they allowed in.