42 illegal migrants put in custody

KUPANG: Fourty two illegal immigrants from Afghanistan are being held at two police stations after their boat washed up in Larantuka, East Forest Regency.

The immigrants were on a journey from Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, to Australia. Thirty of them are being detained in Maumere, Sikka regency, and the rest in Kupang.

One of the arrested is believed to be a member of an organized crime syndicate working at the Makassar immigration office, South Sulawesi, police said.

Rindang Napitupulu, an official of the East Nusa Tenggara immigration office, said Friday that his office was now holding a total of 59 migrants in custody.

The others were arrested in Denpasar, Bali, for not holding valid visas.

"Those detained do not have immigration documents," Rindang said. - JP