RNZ, Wellington, May 6, 2018
Malaysian police have intercepted human traffickers who they say modified a tanker to smuggle undocumented migrants to New Zealand and Australia.
Authorities said that the tanker was carrying 131 Sri Lankans when it was intercepted on Tuesday (May 1). There were 98 men, 24 women, four boys and five girls.
The Singapore-based Channel NewsAsia reported that the tanker had the name ‘Etra’ painted on its side.
Three Indonesians and four Malaysians on a fishing boat used to transport the migrants to the vessel were also arrested.
‘Cunning’ Syndicate
Malaysia’s National Police Chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun said that the large-scale and cunning human smuggling syndicate had been operating for a year and had connections in New Zealand, as well as in Sri Lanka, Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia.
New Zealand Immigration Minister Ian Lees-Galloway has thanked Malaysian authorities for their work, saying that the interception sent a clear message to people smugglers.
Mr Lees-Galloway said lives had been put at extreme risk in the most vast and treacherous ocean in the world.
He said that the act was not tolerated by New Zealand and the exploitation of the individuals on board was repugnant.
Indian Newslink has published the above Report and Picture under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
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Photo Caption:
Malaysian Police say that the tanker was carrying 131 Sri Lankans headed for New Zealand and Australia. Photo: Royal Malaysia Police