Crime & Courts

Migrant workers jump into river to avoid Immigration raid

JOHOR BARU: Several foreign workers jumped into a river in Kluang in a bid to escape detention during a Immigration Department raid against undocumented foreigners working in state on Thursday.

However, despite their efforts, the migrants were detained.

They were among the 43 foreigners aged between 21 and 49 detained during Op Kutip held at a construction site in the district.

Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said a local man was also detained on suspicion of harbouring the migrants.

The raid against the undocumented construction workers was conducted following public complains.

"While the enforcement officers were inspecting the 85 individuals rounded up, several workers attempted to escape by jumping into a river near the construction site, but they were swiftly apprehended," Rusdi said in a statement.

The local man who was appointed by the construction firm to supervise the workers was detained to facilitate investigations.

Meanwhile, in a separate raid in Mersing, six undocumented foreigners aged between 25 and 54 were detained in three homestays under Op Sapu.

Rusdi said the foreigners were found working without valid permits and had overstayed their social visit visas.

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