TAWAU: Less than five hours after being released on bail by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), nine of the 10 people recently detained for their involvement in the smuggling of undocumented Filipinos into Malaysia were arrested by police instead.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Jasmin Hussin said all were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 about 1.50pm.
"I can confirm that police arrested nine people, including five women, after they were released by MACC. They were detained to facilitate investigations under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007," he said.
Among those arrested were Immigration Department officers who were believed to have been working with a syndicate in smuggling the undocumented migrants into Peninsular Malaysia via the Tawau Airport.
Earlier today, 10 people — including six Immigration officers — were released on MACC bail after the remand orders against them expired.
Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus allowed the bail after an application by MACC prosecuting officer Wan Muhammad Iqmal Wan Ishak.
It is understood that MACC has completed its investigations into the case.