Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said the syndicate smuggled foreign nationals through third countries into Malaysia via Kelantan, and then transported them to various destinations via the Klang Valley.

“They charged fees of up to RM8,000 per smuggled migrant, and the syndicate is estimated to have made around RM2.4 million in profits since it started operating,” he said in a statement today.

He said 27 Bangladeshi men, believed to have been smuggled into Malaysia, were arrested in a raid on a house used as a hideout and transit point for illegal migrants in Ampang at 12.40am. Initial reports indicated that the migrants had entered a neighbouring country about three days ago before being smuggled into Malaysia.

“Three Bangladeshi men, suspected syndicate members acting as facilitators and guards of the transit house, were also arrested,” he added.

Zakaria said that all the migrants, aged between 20 and 49, have been detained at the Putrajaya immigration depot for investigation.