Human smuggling syndicate leader "Botak" to be extradited to S'pore

[Lu Bu]

Human smuggling syndicate leader to be extradited to S'pore
Posted: 26 March 2010 1252 hrs
<table width="260" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td width="20" align="right"></td> <td width="240" align="right">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="60"></td> <td class="update" valign="top" height="80"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td width="138" bgcolor="#f6f6f6">Photos </td> <td width="47" bgcolor="#f6f6f6">1 of 1</td> <td width="18" bgcolor="#f6f6f6"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" onclick="Prev();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" width="18" height="15" type="image"></td> <td width="19" bgcolor="#f6f6f6"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" onclick="Play()" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" width="19" height="15" type="image"></td> <td width="18" bgcolor="#f6f6f6"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " onclick="Next();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" width="18" height="15" type="image"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force will soon have in their custody another human smuggling syndicate leader.

The suspect, a 41-year-old Indonesian national known as Botak, will be extradited here on Friday from Malaysia. The Singapore courts had issued a warrant of arrest against him last year.

Botak is the second human smuggling syndicate leader to be extradited this year. He was arrested by the Royal Malaysian Police in the town of Masai in Johor, in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

The Malaysia Permanent Resident allegedly smuggled illegal immigrants by boat into Singapore via the Straits of Johor. It is believed his clients were dropped off at the northeastern part of Singapore at places such as Pulau Ubin and Punggol.

The first human smuggling syndicate leader who was arrested this year was 44-year-old Suimi Taruna, who is a Malaysian national. He was sentenced to 60 months in jail and 12 strokes of the cane.

Botak will be charged with five counts of abetting illegal immigrants to enter Singapore unlawfully.

If convicted, for each charge he could be jailed a maximum of two years and receive at least three strokes of the cane.

- CNA/sc

 

[Lu Bu]

Smuggling ring chief nabbed

Singapore
Mar 26, 2010

Smuggling ring chief nabbed

<!-- by line --> By Mavis Toh
<!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar -->

Police Coast Guard (PCG) commander Teo Kian Teck said on Friday that this is the seventh syndicate leader arrested by the Police Coast Guard in the last 18 months, with four in the last year alone. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG

INTERNATIONAL efforts to curb smuggling syndicates are paying off, with the second arrest of a human smuggling syndicate leader in three months.
The 41-year-old Indonesian suspect, known as Botak, is believed to be involved in smuggling illegal immigrants into Singapore through the northern Johor Straits since last year. A warrant of arrest is issued against him and he will be extradited here for further investigations. Botak, who is also a Malaysian permanent resident, was arrested by the Royal Malaysian Police in a town in Masai, Johor Bahru on Wednesday. If convicted, he can be jailed up to two years, and caned at least three strokes. Police Coast Guard (PCG) commander Teo Kian Teck said on Friday that this is the seventh syndicate leader arrested by the Police Coast Guard in the last 18 months, with four in the last year alone.