Pudu: A group of foreign nationals posing as doctors and offering unlicensed medical services from behind premises selling daily essentials was busted after the Immigration Department raided nine locations around Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin in Pudu yesterday afternoon. The 4 pm raids were conducted by the Immigration Department's Special Tactical Team, in coordination with the Kuala Lumpur Health Department's Pharmacy Enforcement branch, following two weeks of surveillance.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Immigration deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli stated that 18 foreign nationals aged 24 to 51 were detained, including six posing as doctors serving the migrant community. He mentioned that checks revealed the premises were operating under the guise of legitimate businesses.

'The premises raided were operating as sundry shops, textile stores, eateries, travel agency counters, and barber shops at the front, while the back had been converted into makeshift consultation rooms and storage spaces for illegal medicines,' Lokman Effendi told reporters after the operation. He noted that most clients were Bangladeshi nationals attracted by lower fees and easier communication, and inspections found that the premises were supplying medicines requiring specialist prescriptions.

'Seized medicines included treatments for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol, along with antibiotics and painkillers, all unapproved by the Health Ministry,' he said. Lokman Effendi added that initial investigations indicate the medicines were smuggled in by Bangladeshi visitors and sold for RM50 to RM100. He concluded by stating that all 18 men, 17 from Bangladesh and one from Myanmar, were arrested under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 as well as the Immigration Act 1959/63 for invalid travel documents, pass misuse, and overstaying.