KEDAH, April 26, 2026 – The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has dismantled a cross-border human smuggling syndicate with the arrest of 10 individuals, including a senior on-duty immigration officer, in a special operation codenamed Ops Toyu at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex in Kedah.
The operation was launched on April 25, 2026, at approximately 12:50 p.m. following a month-long intelligence gathering effort. It involved officers from JIM’s Enforcement and Special Operations divisions, in collaboration with the Kedah State Immigration Department and the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Those detained include:
- One senior JIM officer stationed at ICQS Bukit Kayu Hitam, alleged to have acted as a facilitator (pemudah cara) by improperly endorsing passports.
- One Thai national known as ‘Toyu’, believed to be the main agent (ejen) who coordinated the smuggling.
- One local Malaysian man acting as a transporter.
- Five Indian nationals.
- One Pakistani national, classified as a prohibited immigrant.
According to JIM’s official media statement, the syndicate specialised in smuggling illegal immigrants — mainly prohibited persons from India — across the Malaysia-Thailand land border. The modus operandi involved the Thai agent and transporter bringing foreigners from Thailand into Malaysia, where the corrupt immigration officer would stamp their passports without meeting entry requirements.
The syndicate reportedly charged RM1,000 per person smuggled, with RM400 allegedly paid to the immigration officer. JIM estimates the network has caused a revenue loss of approximately RM4.1 million.
Items seized during the raid include:
- 5 Indian passports
- 1 Pakistani passport
- Malaysian and Thai border passes
- Immigration security stamps
- 12 mobile phones
- Cash totalling 30,000 Indian Rupees (INR)
- One Nissan Sentra car
- Two Honda motorcycles (Wave and EX5 models)
All 10 individuals have been taken to the Kedah Immigration Department for further investigation. They will face charges under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).
In the statement, JIM Director-General Dato’ Zakaria bin Shaaban stressed that the department will not tolerate any involvement in migrant smuggling — even from within its own ranks.
“Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia tidak akan berkompromi dengan mana-mana pihak yang terlibat dalam aktiviti penyeludupan migran termasuk pegawai JIM bagi memastikan kedaulatan serta keselamatan negara terus terpelihara,” he said.
The successful operation underscores JIM’s ongoing commitment to securing Malaysia’s borders against human trafficking and illegal immigration networks.
About The Author
