A man was detained for allegedly smuggling a Chinese and a Saint Kitts and Nevis national into Malaysia via a pre-arranged KLIA immigration counter
PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department has detained a man suspected of acting as a ‘carrier’ to illegally bring foreigners into Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2.
Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the man was apprehended yesterday while attempting to bring in a male national of Saint Kitts and Nevis and a female Chinese national.
He stated the arrest followed two weeks of intelligence gathering on activities believed to have been ongoing for three months.
The operation began at 6.40 pm and involved officers from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division in cooperation with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency.
Zakaria said the suspect allegedly guided the migrants to a specific immigration counter and provided instructions on bypassing checks.
“The ‘carrier’ instructed the migrants on the course to take to the ‘pre-arranged’ counter, along with sketches or images of its location,” he said.
Authorities believe Immigration inspection counter officers were also involved in the scheme.
The involved officers were allegedly notified in advance of the migrants’ arrival via WhatsApp, with the carrier providing photos of their clothing for identification.
“The ‘carrier’ observed the movement of the migrants from a distance as they cleared Immigration procedures,” Zakaria added.
He explained the carrier and migrants would reunite at the arrival hall exit and leave together, using only hand signals to communicate.
Zakaria confirmed both foreign nationals held valid Social Visit Passes.
The carrier and the two foreigners, aged between 25 and 34, were detained on suspicion of offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The department seized passports, an immigration security stamp, mobile phones, and RM23,100 in cash.
Zakaria added that three Malaysian men and one woman were issued notices to appear and assist with the investigation. – Bernama
