“The immigrants were allegedly to be transported to Maringkik Island, where a boat had been prepared for them,” Lombok Timur Police Public Relations Chief, Adjunct Commissioner Nicolas Osman, reported on Monday.
Police detained the six individuals along with a local resident who was escorting them. Authorities also seized a vessel suspected of being prepared for the journey out of East Lombok.
“This case remains under investigation,” Osman added.
Meanwhile, the local resident, identified as Suhadi, claimed he was hired only to escort the group to Tanjung Luar and was unaware of their illegal status.
“I was asked to escort them for Rp100,000 (US$5.77). I had no idea they were illegal immigrants,” he stated.
According to Suhadi, the group had stayed for three nights at a homestay in Ekas Buana Village.
The homestay owner reportedly contacted him to transport them to Tanjung Luar. However, upon arrival, their contact had not appeared.
While they were waiting, police arrived and apprehended the group.
“I was shocked to be arrested because I was only asked to accompany them,” Suhadi said.
Police are continuing their investigation and have yet to release the identities of the immigrants or their final destination.
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Translator: Akhyar Rosidi, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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