KUALA LUMPUR: Seventy-two children rescued under Op Global have been successfully reunited with their parents.
Federal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said that since the operation began last month, 625 victims aged between two months and 28 years had been rescued.
"Of these, 553 victims are housed in 13 safe locations managed by the Welfare Department, while 72 have been returned to their families," he said at a press conference today.
Shuhaily said to date 415 people have been arrested over the course of the Op Global probe.
"Investigations have been opened under 12 acts namely, the Child Act, Sexual Offences Against Children Act, Anti Trafficking In Persons and Smuggling Of Migrants Act, Immigration Act, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act," he said.
Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB) has been at the centre of police investigations since Sept 11, when raids on 20 of its allegedly operated welfare homes led to the rescue of 402 children.
Further medical screenings revealed that many of these children had suffered physical and emotional abuse, with 13 reportedly being sodomised.
GISB has denied any involvement in child exploitation or sexual abuse.