KUALA LUMPUR – Authorities have arrested an additional 31 members from the Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) group over suspicions of human trafficking activities in operations beginning last Wednesday.
In a statement by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, out of 31 individuals, 17 held positions in the organisation.
The arrests were made in Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Kedah near the Thai border.
This brings the total number of individuals arrested linked to the group to 200.
Currently, all suspects are held under remand for seven days while investigations are conducted under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom) for the offence of human trafficking.
“Since the capture of the 31 individuals recently, the total number of arrests for this case has reached 200 individuals.
“Meanwhile, we have also obtained remand extensions for 139 suspects and 23 individuals were released on police bail for several reasons,” Razarudin said.
To date, the police have opened 37 investigation papers including three for a probe pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against the Children Act 2017.
Out of the 37, eight investigation papers resulted in 28 criminal charges against seven suspects.
Meanwhile, Selangor police raided a number of business outlets believed to be related to GISBH in a coordinated operation in Bandar Country Homes, Rawang early this morning, Bernama reported.
The raid, carried out at around 6.30am, involved approximately 200 Selangor contingent police personnel, assisted by the Federal Reserve Force, as well as with the cooperation of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department and the Selayang Municipal Council.
Among the business premises inspected were clinics, restaurants, car workshops, used clothing stores, printing premises, supermarkets, bakeries, media service centres, hotels, boutiques, galleries and several other businesses that use the GISBH name.
Based on a survey by Bernama, police were still conducting checks on individuals in the area, including children as of 8.30am.
At the same time, the Selayang Municipal Council was seen to be demolishing some illegally erected structures and confiscating certain business premises.
The entire business centre in Jalan Desa, Bandar Country Homes, was cordoned off during the operation. – September 21, 2024