KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): A total of 362 victims of human trafficking victims were rescued in the first eight months of this year.

       Superintendent of Coordination/Investigation/International Relations of Bukit Aman Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Division (D3) Supt Hazril Kamis (pic) said the victims were rescued in 77 raids conducted during that period.

       He said most of the victims were from Bangladesh, Indonesia and India.

       "They were exploited for the purpose of serving as temporary forced labourers and sex slaves,” he told Bernama recently.

       Hazril also said during the same period, 95 victims were given Protection Order (PO) and 163 syndicate members were arrested.

       He said effective cooperation among security agencies and personnel had resulted in a drop in cases related to trafficking and smuggling of humans.

       "The Movement Control Order is among the main reasons why the number of cases dropped. Nevertheless, through integrated operations, the police will continue to be committed in identifying any elements that show the existence of trafficking activities," he said.

       Hazril said that 146 cases of human trafficking were recorded with the arrest of 243 syndicate members last year.

       He said police would intensify action against organised crimes linked to human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

       "We do not want to see a situation where many raids and arrests are made but syndicate members are eventually released on bail," he said. - Bernama