On Monday, the Lanal TBK F1QR unit received a report about the illegal migrant workers in the waters of Kakeng Combol, Judah Sugi Island, Karimun District, Riau Islands Province.
Early the next morning, they apprehended the individuals and two crew members, identified as Az and Ed. Authorities also seized identification documents, a boat, and the belongings of the illegal migrant workers.
Commander of Lanal TBK, Lieutenant Colonel Anro Casanova, revealed that a man is suspected of orchestrating the smuggling operation.
"We are currently pursuing D, believed to be the mastermind behind smuggling undocumented Indonesian migrant workers," Casanova remarked.
According to authorities, D sent a group of 12 illegal migrants from Batam to Malaysia on Monday night. This group was then transferred to another boat crewed by Az and Ed.
The crew and 11 migrant workers attempted to return to Batam via Karimun on Tuesday but were apprehended.
The migrant workers admitted to paying D and his associates for the illegal passage. The operation was conducted at night to evade detection.
The 11 apprehended migrant workers, hailing from various regions in Indonesia, including Central Java, East Java, North Sumatra, and Lombok, had worked illegally in Malaysia.
They will be handed over to immigration and migrant protection authorities for repatriation.
"The two perpetrators, Az and Ed, will face legal proceedings," Casanova stated.
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Translator: Ogen, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Anton Santoso
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