Malaysian Police Bust Migrant Smuggling Ring and Illicit Bitcoin Mines

Malaysia's Perak police have made significant progress in combating human trafficking and organized crime with the arrest of 57 individuals involved in migrant smuggling.

The operation, which began on April 4, targeted a syndicate that brought undocumented Indonesian migrants into Malaysia. The suspects were detained at various locations in Perak, including Jalan Besar Segari to Batu Hilal near Segari.

According to the police, the case is being investigated under sections of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) and the Immigration Act 1959/63. The perpetrators could face fines of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment for up to three years.

In a separate operation, Perak police, with the assistance of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), uncovered an illegal bitcoin mining operation involving four premises suspected of using illicit electricity connections to power their machines.