In conducting their human trafficking operation, the Bangladeshi nationals rented three houses in Batulayar Village, Batulayar Sub-district, West Lombok District, the Mataram Immigration Office head, Mirza Akbar, stated.
"Their whereabouts could be detected thanks to the local residents' tip-offs, and, assisted by the police, the 16 Bangladeshi nationals were then arrested on Thursday, July 24," Akbar remarked.
After their arrest, they were placed in the Mataram immigration detention house, he noted, adding that the suspected mastermind behind this human trafficking network is a man, only identified as SJ, 33.
SJ is assisted by nine Bangladeshi citizens who function as agents tasked with recruiting Bangladeshi nationals willing to be smuggled to Australia, he stated.
In this human trafficking case, six Bangladeshi nationals fell victim to the human trafficking operation led by SJ and his nine agents.
The Bangladeshi detainees have been charged with violation of Articles 113, 9 (1), and 119 (1) of the Indonesian Immigration Law No.6 of 2011, carrying penalties of up to five years imprisonment and fines of 500 million rupiahs, he added.
As reported earlier, the Australian Government has been implementing firm law enforcement against people smugglers since 2013. The Australian authority intercepts every boat attempting to enter the country illegally.
According to the Australian Government's official website on "Operation Sovereign Borders," "every vessel is closely watched. There is zero chance of illegal migration to Australia."
Those attempting illegal boat journeys to Australia would be turned back to their points of departure, returned to their home countries, or transferred to a third country for processing, according to Australia.
"People smugglers use false promises of settlement in Australia to convince people to hand over their hard-earned savings. Do not believe their lies," the Australian Government warned.
Translator: Dhimas BP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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