Langkawi: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is actively collaborating with Interpol and Aseanapol to track down a syndicate believed to be responsible for a recent boat tragedy involving migrants in the waters near the Malaysia-Thailand border. This incident has raised concerns over the operations of such syndicates within and around Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah stated that initial information has indicated the syndicate’s operations might be spread across Malaysia and neighboring countries. The D3 Division of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) under the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department is leading the collaborative efforts with Interpol and ASEAN police forces. The aim is to track and gather detailed information on the syndicate’s activities.

Adzli disclosed that survivors of the incident reported being assembled at multiple locations between Baitadung and Teknaf, near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, before boarding a vessel managed by the syndicate. The syndicate’s method involves gathering a large number of migrants, filling a vessel to its maximum capacity, and then setting sail. The boat involved in the recent tragedy was reported to carry about 300 individuals, with the journey typically taking around two weeks.

Further insights from the survivors revealed that payments to the syndicate were facilitated by family members after the migrants’ successful arrival in Malaysia. During the investigation, police found handwritten notes with phone numbers linked to the syndicate’s agents. All 14 survivors, confirmed to be migrants, were interrogated and none were identified as members or agents of the syndicate.

Adzli added that survivors identified five individuals, believed to be syndicate members, as operators of the mothership they had boarded. Upon reaching the waters near the Malaysia-Thailand border, the victims were transferred to two smaller boats to continue their journey without the syndicate members. The tragic incident resulted in a boat capsizing off Langkawi, leading to the loss of 29 lives, while 14 were rescued.