Bernama reported that the raid at around 4am on Sept 28 in Silo Baru village, Asahan Regency, followed reports of suspicious activity at a fish warehouse.

North Sumatra police criminal investigation director Ricko Taruna Mauruh said three suspects were detained, having played various roles from recruiting via social media to working as ship crew and maintaining the boats’ engines.

One suspect was paid 500,000 rupiah (RM126) by a boat owner, while another received 1.5 million rupiah per week from the shelter operator.

The three suspects are being held at the provincial police headquarters for further questioning, while the workers have been transferred to the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection and Service Centre for registration and assistance.

Authorities have warned Indonesians seeking jobs abroad not to use illegal routes, stressing the risk of exploitation and human trafficking.