JOHOR BARU: A Singaporean, who had skipped his compulsory national service in the republic, tried to make his way into Johor by hiding in a Perodua Myvi's boot.
The man now in his 50s, had paid two Malaysian women SG$3,000 to smuggle him into the state via the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, here, on Dec 13, last year.
The attempt was foiled by the Customs Department enforcement officers at the complex who were conducting routine inspections on imported goods.
The man told the enforcement officers that he did not have the republic's passport as he had skipped NS, and was hoping to seek employment in Malaysia.
State Customs Department Director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said the Singaporean was charged and deported to the republic in mid-February, after he served a two-month jail term, and paid a fine.
The two women still in detention were found guilty under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom).
Aminul Izmeer said that although the offence was an immigration violation, action was taken against the suspects in accordance with Atipsom Act.
Meanwhile, on Dec 17, during a routine inspection on a Proton Saga driven by a local man at Sabak Bernam in Selangor, officers uncovered a suspected human trafficking syndicate, using a chalet as a transit point.
Aminul Izmeer said the Saga driver spilled the beans on the syndicate's operations that led the officers to the chalet.
They found 27 Indonesians and one Malaysian woman at the chalet.
He said some of the foreigners were believed to be helping local human-trafficking syndicate members organise illegal passage for the Indonesians back to their home country.
The syndicate's modus operandi was to smuggle the migrants in several vehicles, and house them at the chalet while the logistics to smuggle them to Indonesia were organised.
Three cars were also seized.
He said three suspects were charged under Section 26A of the Atipsom Act 2007, while 25 Indonesians were charged under the Immigration Act 1959/63.