Machang: Six suspected 'snakeheads', including a Thai national, were charged at the Sessions Court here today with smuggling Bangladeshi migrants at Kampung Sungai Mas in Machang last month.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, no plea was recorded from the accused, Muhamad Amirul Aileh (a Thai national), 30; Muhammad Arif Abd Halim, 22; Mohamad Hazran Mohd Daud, 34; Mohd Shamsuri Yusoff, 45; Norazalina Mohamad, 40; and Nur Aliya Natasya Abdul Rahman, 20, as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court. The charges were read before Judge Nik Habri Nik Muhamad.

All six individuals, along with another person who remains at large, were accused of engaging in smuggling activities that involved 10 Bangladeshi migrants at a house in Taman Desa Mas, Kampung Sungai Mas, Machang, around 8 am on June 11.

They have been charged under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 [Act 670]. This section, when read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, allows for penalties of imprisonment for up to 20 years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The prosecution in this case was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Kamilah Che Ibrahim. Notably, Norazalina Mohamad was represented by lawyer Ahmad Nurie Abd Rahman, while the other five accused did not have legal representation.