GEORGE TOWN: Police have crippled a human trafficking syndicate involved in the smuggling of Myanmar nationals after four people including a woman were arrested on Monday (June 13).

       Penang police Criminal Investigations Department chief Senior Asst Comm Rahimi Ra’ais said the suspects were detained during an operation under Ops Pintas conducted by a team of police from Penang, Kedah and Bukit Aman CID at Kepala Batas here.

       "During the raid, police also detained 24 illegal immigrants including four women believed to be Myanmar nationals," he said in a statement on Friday (June 17).

       SAC Rahimi said investigation found that the syndicate had been active in human trafficking in the northern part of the peninsula since early this year.

       The case is being investigated under Section 26a of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007, which provides jail of up to 15 years, or fine or both, on conviction.

       Those arrested were also being investigated under Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which provides for a fine of not more than RM10,000 or jail term of up to five years, or both, and up to six strokes of whipping on conviction.

       All suspects are now being remanded at the Kepala Batas police station lockup for further action.