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Malaysia police busts human trafficking syndicates along borders with Thailand

Xinhua, May 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

Malaysian police has busted human trafficking syndicates and arrested several dozen including police officials, Malaysia's police chief said Wednesday, as concerns are mounting over refugee influx to Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries recently.

Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said seven trafficking syndicates were smashed and 38 individuals from Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia were arrested between March and April, including agents, syndicate leaders, transporters and two policemen.

"The syndicates operate in the northern areas of Malaysia and south Thailand, and their victims are predominantly Myanmar and Bangladeshis. These syndicates are also believed to be involved in the falsification of UNHCR documents," Khalid said in a statement in conjunction with departmental review of joint Thailand-Malaysia working committee.

He said the close cooperation and partnership between the Malaysian and Thai police manage and monitor security issues at the common borders have been fruitful.

Meanwhile, Khalid said police has arrested 1, 018 illegal migrants on the shores of Malaysia's northern resort island of Langkawi this week, comprising 555 Bangladeshis and 463 Myanmar citizens, who are being detained for further investigation and onward actions. Endi