Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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A Malaysian man suspected of being a migrant smuggler was arrested with 37 undocumented Myanmar nationals in Kampung Cina, Kota Bharu, yesterday.

Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Captain Kamal Mohamad said the arrests were made following intelligence on migrant smuggling activities through an illegal route along Sungai Kelantan.

He said an MMEA patrol boat conducting an operation detected a speedboat moving suspiciously in the darkness near Kuala Besar around 5.20am.

Kamal said a subsequent search led to the arrest of 38 people, including the Malaysian man suspected of acting as a migrant smuggler or agent.

He said the Malaysian suspect was being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 for suspected involvement in migrant smuggling.

The Myanmar nationals were being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for allegedly entering and remaining in Malaysia without valid documents and travel records.

Kamal said the arrest of the 38 individuals was the largest recorded by the Kelantan MMEA this year.

STORYLINK: https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1518979/38-held-over-suspected-migrant-smuggling-sungai-kelantan

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