Nine Indonesians, Including Boat Skippers, Arrested in Johor Waters Over Illegal Smuggling Attempt
JOHOR BAHRU: Malaysian police have foiled an attempt to smuggle individuals out of the country by sea after arresting nine Indonesian nationals, including three boat skippers, in the waters off Sungai Rengit near Kota Tinggi.
Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspects, aged between 22 and 52, were detained by the Marine Police Force Region Two during Ops Taring Gelora over a two-hour operation.
The interception followed intelligence-led patrols targeting high-risk maritime routes frequently exploited for illegal cross-border movement between Johor and Batam, Indonesia.
Investigations revealed that the three skippers acted as transport facilitators, ferrying passengers without valid travel documents, while the remaining six were attempting to return to Indonesia illegally.
Police also seized multiple vessels and outboard engines worth RM435,785, underscoring the scale and organisation of the operation.
-wilayah.com.my/
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