October 08, 2009 16:57 PM

Police Bust Human Trafficking Syndicate And Rescue Nine Women

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysian police, working closely with the Australian Federal Police, have succeeded in busting a human trafficking syndicate that has been using Malaysia as a transit.

At 1am on Thursday, police raided a house in Pandan Perdana, Cheras and arrested a couple aged 44 and 55 before rescuing nine women, comprising eight Malaysians and a Chinese national.

Bukit Aman CID deputy director I (intelligence and operations) Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah said the couple were directly involved in 'exporting' locals and foreigners to Asian countries and Australia for prostitution, under the pretext of seeking employment.

"The syndicate, raking in about RM2 million through their operations, normally lured young good looking women (locals and foreigners) to work as prostitutes in foreign countries.

"They (syndicate) will arrange the passport and false student visas for the women before sending them abroad for prostitution," he told reporters here today.

Hadi Ho said police believed most of the women were duped by lucrative wage offers promised by the syndicate.

Asked if the Immigration Department personal or officers were involved, Hadi Ho said police are carrying out investigations and working closely with the Immigration Department.

"We will continue to hunt down those involved with the syndicate like runners, those who print the passports, etc," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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