Police rescue 73 individuals from human trafficking syndicates in large-scale operation

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 73 people, including 22 children and three disabled people, were rescued across the country after being exploited by human trafficking syndicates.

The victims were rescued in a large-scale operation dubbed “Ops Mega Pintas” on June 12 carried out by the Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Migrant Smuggling Division (Atipsom) (D3) of the Bukit Aman CID with other police departments. and other law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Immigration.

Bukit Aman CID deputy director Fadil Marsus said 113 suspected human traffickers were also arrested during the operation, which took place simultaneously across the country.

“Those arrested were locals as well as foreigners from Bangladesh, Indonesia, China and Thailand.

“We also rescued 73 people, including 25 men, 26 women and 22 children.

“The victims were locals as well as people from the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.

“They were victims of forced labor and human trafficking,” he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman on Thursday (June 20).

Among those rescued were three disabled people, he said.

“They were a local woman and two Bangladeshi men.

“The woman was the victim of sexual exploitation while the men were used by a beggars’ syndicate,” he said.

DCP Fadil said the investigation is being conducted under various laws, including sections 12 and 14 of the Atipsom Act, 2007 and the Immigration Act.

“The objective of the operation is to identify victims of human trafficking and forced labor based on the National Human Trafficking Indicator Guideline (NGHTI) 2.0.

“We take human trafficking activities seriously and severe action will be taken against any individual or syndicate involved in such illegal activities,” he said.

DCP Fadil also urged the public to provide relevant information on human trafficking.

“We need the public’s cooperation to successfully combat human trafficking crimes.

“Those with information should contact their nearest police station,” he said.

DCP Fadil said indicators of forced labor include physical violence against victims as well as retention of workers' identity documents.

“Other indicators are non-payment of salaries, overwork of workers and unconducive homes and workplaces.

“The travel of victims of human trafficking is also limited, or even prohibited,” he said.

DCP Fadil said human traffickers used various tactics, including deceiving workers into being employed in a job they did not choose.

“We also do not exclude the involvement of employment agencies in the countries of origin in the deception of victims,” he added.