GOF Central Brigade arrests two skippers and 43 illegal migrants in Sabak Bernam, seizing a boat and disrupting a syndicate charging up to RM3,000 per person
KUALA LUMPUR: The General Operations Force (GOF) Central Brigade has crippled a migrant smuggling syndicate with a raid in Sabak Bernam, Selangor.
Its Task Force Delta unit detained two suspected sea skippers and 43 illegal migrants during Ops Taring Delta on Thursday.
The 43 Indonesian nationals, comprising 31 men and 12 women, were found gathered along the coastline preparing to leave Malaysia illegally.
GOF Central Brigade commander SAC Hakemal Hawari said a fishing boat and two mobile phones were also seized, with total confiscated items valued at RM51,000.
“Intelligence findings revealed that the syndicate charged between RM1,000 and RM3,000 per individual to facilitate illegal departures from the country,” he said.
All suspects are being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Hakemal said smugglers were increasingly switching from speedboats to fishing vessels to evade detection.
He added that syndicates frequently changed locations and used social media to advertise their services.
He noted a marked increase in migrant smuggling ahead of festive seasons, likely due to migrants attempting to return home.
ATIPSOM cases handled by the Central Brigade rose from 13 in 2023 to 17 in 2024, before surging to 33 in 2025.
Total seizures in these cases have exceeded RM4.7 million.
Hakemal said the Delta unit, established in August last year, has implemented strategic measures to combat migrant smuggling along maritime borders from Selangor to Johor.
