Malaysia

Johor immigration busts ‘flying passport’ syndicate in apartment raid

A 44-year-old local man was arrested and nine passports seized after Johor Immigration dismantled a suspected syndicate involved in the illegal use of travel documents during an operation in Johor Bahru

Updated 8 months ago · Published on 03 Feb 2026 3:05PM

Johor immigration busts ‘flying passport’ syndicate in apartment raid
The operation, codenamed Ops Serkap, led to the seizure of nine passports believed to have been misused as travel documents for unlawful entry into and exit from the country - February 3, 2026

THE Johor Immigration Department has crippled a suspected ‘flying passport’ syndicate following a targeted enforcement operation at an apartment in Taman Daya, Johor Bahru, on 29 January.

The operation, codenamed Ops Serkap, led to the arrest of a 44-year-old individual and the seizure of nine passports believed to have been misused as travel documents for unlawful entry into and exit from the country.

Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the raid was carried out by officers from the department’s Johor State Enforcement Division following public tip-offs and intelligence gathered by his team.

He said inspections at the premises resulted in the discovery of several passports suspected to have been abused by the syndicate.

“A local citizen was arrested on suspicion of committing an offence under the Passport Act 1966 (Act 150).

“The individual is currently being detained at the Johor State Enforcement Division for further investigation and subsequent action in accordance with the provisions of the law,” he said in a statement issued today.

Datuk Mohd Rusdi stressed that the department takes the misuse of passports seriously, warning that such activities pose a threat to national security.

He added that immigration authorities would not compromise with any individual found to be involved in the abuse of travel documents. - February 3, 2026

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