4 traffickers held in Malaysia, 11 Bangladeshis rescued

The Malaysian Immigration Department has dismantled a human trafficking ring, arresting four Bangladeshi ringleaders and rescuing 11 Bangladeshis who were about to be trafficked.

Director-General Zakaria Shaban disclosed the operation in a statement on Saturday (December 14). 

He said that the raid, based on two weeks of intelligence gathering, was conducted in three areas of Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, at approximately 9:30pm last Wednesday (December 11).

The four arrested ringleaders include three men and one woman, aged between 35 and 38 years.

Three men face charges under Section 12 of the Human Trafficking and Illegal Immigration Act, 2007.

The woman is being investigated under Section 15(4) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

During the operation, authorities confiscated 17 Bangladeshi passports, 20 mobile phones, 800 Malaysian ringgit, 800 US dollars, and two cars.

The rescued Bangladeshis, aged between 30 and 38 years, were reportedly being held by the gang, who had demanded 20,000 ringgit from each victim.

According to the Immigration Department, the gang lured Bangladeshis with promises of better opportunities in Malaysia. They facilitated their entry by arranging passports, visas, and air tickets, allowing them to enter the country as tourists.

Further investigations are underway as Malaysian authorities intensify efforts to curb human trafficking in the region.