Kids among 73 rescued from human traffickers

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-two children and three disabled persons were among the 73 rescued from human trafficking syndicates.

The victims were rescued in a large-scale nationwide operation codenamed Ops Mega Pintas on June 12.

Bukit Aman CID deputy director Deputy Comm Fadil Marsus said 113 suspected human traffickers were also detained in the operation, which was conducted simultaneously by Bukit Aman CID Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) division (D3) along with other departments within the police force and other enforcement agencies, including the Immigration Department.

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

“Of the 73 people rescued, 25 were men, 26 women, and 22 children.

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

“They were victims of forced labour and human trafficking,” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman yesterday.

Among those rescued were a disabled local woman and two disabled Bangladeshi men.

“The female was a victim of sex exploitation, while the men were used by a beggar syndicate,” he said.

Among those rescued were domestic workers, hotel workers, restaurant and barbershop staff members, and goldsmith outlet workers, he said.

DCP Fadil said the investigation was being carried out under various laws, including Sections 12 and 14 of the Atipsom Act 2007 and the Immigration Act.

“The focus of the operation is to identify victims of human trafficking and forced labour based on the national Guideline on Human Trafficking indicators 2.0.

“We view human trafficking activities seriously, and stern action will be taken against any individuals or syndicates who are involved in such illegal activities,” he said.

DCP Fadil also urged the public to supply relevant information on human trafficking to the nearest police station.