Filipinos smuggling ring busted
Published on: Tuesday, January 30, 2024
By: Jeremy S Zabala
Saleha (right) showing images taken during the operation.
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Immigration Department smashed a syndicate smuggling illegal immigrants – particularly from the Philippines – into the State in an operation in Penampang, near here, on Saturday.
Its Director Datuk SH Sitti Saleha Habib Yusoff said the department had known about the syndicate’s activities since 2021.
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The syndicate smuggled in illegal immigrants, especially Filipinos, with a payment of between RM1,500 and RM2,500 per person.
“It used Pulau Bakungan Besar off the Philippines as a transit point before entering the State, which takes a 50-minute boat ride from there to Sandakan,” she told a press conference here Monday.
Sitti Saleha said four locals and 11 foreigners were arrested in the operation.
“The four locals, two men and two women aged 25 to 56, were masterminds of the syndicate.
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“Immigration officers stopped a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle driven by one of the masterminds which was travelling from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu and found eight foreigners inside.
“In a follow-up raid on a house in Penampang believed to have been used as a ‘transit home’, three more masterminds and three foreigners were arrested.
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“The suspects will be placed at the Kota Kinabalu Immigration Detention Depot for investigation and further action,” she said.
Sitti Saleha said among the offences identified were non-possession of identification documents, allowing illegal immigrants to enter and stay at their premises and trafficking of immigrants.
“Enforcement operations are carried out continuously to detect, apprehend, prosecute and deport foreign nationals who violate the country’s legal provisions, as stipulated under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, and Immigration Regulations 1963; as well as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
“The department would like to remind the public and employers not to harbour undocumented immigrants, or face legal consequences.”
Meanwhile, the Sabah Immigration Department repatriated 8,678 illegal immigrants last year by sending them back in batches at least twice a month.
“The repatriation was done 83 times, 41 occasions by sea and 42 by air. This year, we have sent back 1,529 illegal immigrants as of Jan 25,” said Sitti.
The department conducted 1,463 operations last year, which resulted in 30,918 people being screened, 4,108 arrested and 22 employers charged with various offences.
Asked whether there was overcrowding at immigration detention depots in Sabah, Sitti said it only happened during the Covid-19 pandemic period because repatriation was suspended after the immigrants’ countries of origin closed their borders.
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