GEORGE TOWN: A former politician who started a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre was among 11 people detained on suspicion of human trafficking.
The former politician, in his 50s and claims to hold a "Datuk" title, was detained at his house here yesterday.
The others, including two women, aged between 22 and 60, were detained in the Seberang Prai Selatan and Northeast districts between Oct 27 and yesterday.
The former politician lost in both the parliamentary and state seats he contested in the 14th General Election. He also lost his deposits.
Police got wind of the syndicate's activity after receiving a tip-off recently.
State police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said, following the arrests, police managed to rescue 13 victims, all men, aged between 22 and 62.
He said investigations revealed that the victims were those seeking treatment for drug and alcohol addictions at the centre in the districts.
"The victims were sent to the centres for treatments. Some even paid between RM1,200 and RM1,500 monthly.
"Instead of being treated, they were forced to work as slaves, in among others, car washes, eateries and as air conditioning servicemen. They were not paid and were not given any days off," he told newsmen at the state police headquarters here today.
The centre's inmates were given minimal food, hit with 'rotan' and often tied up with a metal chain to prevent any escape.
The inmates were also monitored via closed-circuit television cameras.
Shuhaily said the matter was probed under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM), which carries a maximum 20 years' jail and fine, upon conviction.
He urged those with information to come forward to assist in investigation into the case.
Checks showed the centres in the two districts were unregistered and may have been in operation for about two years.
"We are still investigating the matter further," he added.
On a separate matter, Shuhaily said the state saw a drop in scam cases this year compared to last year.
"There were 1,663 cases this year involving losses of RM27.1 million, down from 2,291 cases involving losses of RM34.1 million last year.
"This shows a drop of 628 cases involving RM6.98 million losses," he said.
He said the latest case took place this month where a victim lost RM327,000 after buying a luxury car via Facebook.