TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Class I Immigration Office of Medan City arrested the Captain of an unnamed vessel, Rembo or MZ, aged 43, for allegedly smuggling 67 people from Malaysia. He was arrested at Kuala Putri Beach, Kualalama Village, Serdangbedagai Regency, North Sumatra.

The head of law and human rights office of North Sumatra MHD Jahari Sitepu said the suspect is charged with human smuggling under Article 120 (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 of Immigration in conjunction with Article 55 (1) of the Criminal Code.

"The suspect and evidence will be handed over to Serdangbedagai's prosecutor's office soon," said Jakari on Monday.

The head of the Class I Immigration Office of Medan City Johanes Fanny Satria CA explained that the case started on January 10 at around 05:30 a.m. WIB (Western Indonesia Time) when an unnamed PS 100 vessel landed on Kuala Putri Beach from Malaysia bringing 67 people.

In the afternoon, the Head of Unit 4 of Sergai Police Resort, BD Sitorus, informed the immigration office that the police had confiscated a vessel and arrested 5 Indonesian nationals.

The next day, the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Division left for the Sergai Police Result. As a result, of the 67 passengers who were apprehended, 63 were handed over to the Indonesian Migrant Worker Service and Protection Center (BP3MI) to be returned to their respective areas of origin.

"They were mainly from outside of North Sumatra. Five were apprehended. Four remain as witnesses and Rembo declared a suspect," Fanny said.

In addition to captaining the vessel, Rembo was authorized to recruit people aiming to illegally enter Indonesia. They are charged Rp4 to 6 million. "Rembo was initially a common fisherman. He has picked up Indonesian citizens from Malaysia four times and received Rp6.5 million," Fanny explained.

The money is received upon arrival in Malaysian waters. "Rembo would contact the agent in Malaysia to discuss the pick-up then leave again for Indonesia," he said.

MEI LEANDHA

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