KUCHING: A foreign man, suspected of leading a human trafficking syndicate known as Geng Adi Tailo, was today charged in the High Court here together with his group members.
Judicial Commissioner Alexander Siew ordered the four men, who are also known as Kumpulan Yeni Ferry, to be further detained at the Puncak Borneo prison, pending the re-mention of the case on March 17.
The court also allowed the applications of all the accused, who need assistance in the proceedings, through the National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer.
They were charged under Section 26A of Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which provides for imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
All the accused, who are suspected of smuggling 17 foreigners to be sent to Sibu, Tatau and Bintulu, were arrested at 1am at a budget hotel in Batu 3 on Jan 11.
Apart from that, all the arrested Indonesians, who have failed to show any valid travel documents, as well as three vehicles used for smuggling were also detained.
Deputy public prosecutor Nadratun Naim Mohd Saimi prosecuted in the case.
