The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has unveiled a major smuggling operation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), where a syndicate reportedly paid Immigration officers up to RM3,500 per individual to bypass inspections.
According to sources, the MACC’s investigation, which involved months of intelligence gathering and undercover operations, revealed that the syndicate exploited Immigration officials to facilitate the illegal entry of foreigners. The operation, known as Op Pump, culminated in the arrest of 12 individuals on Tuesday, including five Immigration officers. Four of these officers are currently under remand.
The source noted that the MACC has not yet determined the total amount of bribes involved, as the payments were not directly deposited into the suspects’ accounts and varied with the number of individuals smuggled.
“The suspects may have learned from the previous mistakes of others apprehended by the MACC,” the source commented, referencing past cases where Immigration officers were caught due to their extravagant lifestyles and luxury vehicles.
Currently, MACC investigators are probing the methods used by the officers to conceal their illicit earnings. As of yesterday, only cash amounting to tens of thousands has been recovered, with concerns that the suspects may have used intermediaries to hide the full extent of their financial gains.
Reports indicate that the syndicate had collaborated with several Immigration officers to create ‘special counters’ at KLIA. These counters allowed certain groups of foreign travelers to enter Malaysia without undergoing the standard Immigration checks.
The MACC’s ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full scope of the corruption and ensure accountability for those involved in the illegal operation.
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