TANAH MERAH: The police have detained 50 undocumented Myanmar nationals who were hiding in a shophouse in Kampung Jelakong in a raid here on Tuesday (May 10) evening.

       Tanah Merah OCPD Supt Wan Zulfikri Wan Othman said two local men, 48 and 65, were also arrested at the premises during the raid, which conducted by a team from Tanah Merah police headquarters Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at 5.30pm.

       "A total of 43 Myanmar men and seven women, aged 18 to 45, were in the shop house and did not possess any valid identification documents when inspected,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

       The migrants were smuggled into the country three days ago from their hideout near the Malaysia-Thailand border to work in Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands, he said, adding that they believed that the shop house was a transit location before they were brought out of Kelantan.

       "The two local men involved were subsequently detained under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti -Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007.

       "The 50 Myanmar nationals meanwhile were arrested for offences under the Immigration Act 1963 and have been taken to the Tanah Merah police headquarters for further action,” he said, adding that a four-wheel-drive vehicle used to ferry the migrants was also seized.- Bernama