ALOR SETAR: Police here have rescued 17 Myanmar nationals who are believed to be victims of human trafficking at the Hutan Kampung Toll Plaza on Friday (Nov 26).

       Kedah police deputy chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Roze Shaari said the victims were rescued at about 9.30am after police stopped three cars that were driven by three local suspects at the southbound toll plaza.

       "Upon inspection of all three cars, police found all the victims aged between 21 and 44. All have no valid travel documents," he said in a statement on Sunday (Nov 28).

       DCP Roze said the three suspects and all the illegal migrants were detained and the three vehicles were confiscated by police.

       He said the suspects and the illegal immigrants were brought to the Kota Setar police headquarters for further investigation.

       DCP Roze said that an initial investigation found that the three suspects were 'transporters' and were paid RM200 each to ferry each illegal immigrant.

       He said the case was being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) 2007 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

       "The remand order has been made under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma)," he said, adding the state police would continue efforts to eradicate human trafficking activities and illegal migration in the state.

       He added that the public could help furnish information on human trafficking activities at 04-774 1403 extension 105 or through MERS 999.