Langsa Police Detain 3 Bangladeshi Citizens Smuggling 137 Rohingya Immigrants To Aceh

Langsa Police Chief AKBP Andy Rahmansyah revealed the crime of smuggling immigrants in Langsa, Aceh Province, Tuesday (19/3/2024). ANTARA/HO-Humas Langsa Police

BANDA ACEH - Langsa Police Investigator, Aceh, detained three Bangladeshi citizens (WN) after being named suspects for allegedly smuggling 137 Rohingya immigrants into Indonesia through Kuala Parek, Sungai Raya District, East Aceh Regency.

Langsa Police Chief, AKBP Andy Rahmansyah said the detention and determination of the three foreign nationals were suspected of smuggling people after the police carried out a series of investigations.

"The three Bangladeshi nationals were previously members of a group of Rohingya immigrants who landed in Kuala Parek, Sungai Raya District, East Aceh Regency, which is part of the Langsa Police jurisdiction," said Rahmansyah as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, March 19.

The three Bangladeshi nationals have the initials MH (49) as captain or captain of the ship, MS (27) ship engine technician, and AT (46) is the ship's cook.

The police chief said that the disclosure of the case of smuggling of people began with the entry of 137 Rohingya ethnic immigrants by riding a ship to the coast of Gampong Kuala Parek, Sungai Raya District, East Aceh Regency, on Thursday (1/2/2024) at around 01.00 WIB.

The police conducted investigations and inspections on ship passengers. From the results of the inspection, information was found that they departed from Bangladesh to Indonesia in December 2023. Each passenger paid 100 thousand taka ( Bangladesh currency) or around Rp. 14 million.

"After paying, the passengers were collected on the edge of Tex Naf Beach, Bangladesh, then transported by small boats to be carried into the middle of the sea. Furthermore, they were transferred to a large ship that had been prepared beforehand," said Rahmansyah.

The ship is waiting for MH to serve as captain or captain of the ship. MH was asked by an agent with the initials AS to take the passengers to Indonesia.

In return, said Rahmansyah, MH was given a salary of 100 thousand taha. Likewise, all needs during shipping have been provided by the US, such as fuel oil, logistics, and others.

Meanwhile, MS served as an engine technician with a salary of 50 bills, and AT as a cook for the needs of all passengers during the voyage. AT received a salary of 50 bills.

"Based on the results of the examination, the Rohing ethnicity deliberately left Bangladesh and entered Indonesia illegally. Regarding the agent with the initials AS, he has not been arrested because he is in Bangladesh," said the Police Chief.

Currently, the three Bangladeshi citizens are being held at the Langsa Police Rutan. All three are subject to Article 120 of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code

"The minimum penalty is five years and a maximum of 15 years in prison. Investigators continue to work to complete the case files to be immediately transferred to the public prosecutor," said Andy Rahmansyah.