‘Influential’ immigration officer on the run in probe into human trafficking syndicate

 

MACC chief Azam Baki believes the suspect is still in the country.

PETALING JAYA: 

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is tracking down an 

influential

 immigration officer suspected of being linked to a syndicate bringing foreign nationals into the country through the nation’s entry points.

MACC chief Azam Baki said the officer is believed to have gone into hiding as soon as investigations began. However, he is confident that the suspect is still in the country.

“He fled as soon as our probe commenced. Based on our investigation, this individual is an immigration officer.

Although he doesn’t hold a high-ranking position, he is believed to wield considerable influence among the personnel at KLIA,

 Berita Harian quoted him as saying.

MACC previously uncovered a syndicate involved in smuggling foreign nationals, including from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Nepal, through the country’s entry points without undergoing checks by immigration.

The syndicate is believed to be led by several enforcement officers stationed at the nation’s entry points who facilitated the entry of these foreign nationals without adhering to proper procedures.

The syndicate’s operations were exposed following MACC’s arrest of 12 people, including three women, in their 20s and 50s, in the Klang Valley, Penang and Kelantan.

Azam said MACC had seized several luxury vehicles believed to belong to enforcement personnel under investigation.

He said MACC would summon 46 people for questioning in connection with the case soon. - FMT