Police in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, have arrested six undocumented immigrants from Afghanistan and several African nations, along with a local resident, suspected of attempting to travel abroad illegally.
Illegal Immigration Attempt Foiled in East Lombok
The immigrants were allegedly preparing to travel to Maringkik Island, where a boat was waiting, according to Lombok Timur Police Public Relations Chief, Adjunct Commissioner Nicolas Osman.
Police detained the six individuals along with Suhadi, a local resident who was escorting them. Authorities also seized a vessel believed to be intended for the journey.
Suhadi claimed he was hired to escort the group to Tanjung Luar for Rp100,000 (US$5.77) and was unaware of their immigration status. He stated the group had been staying at a homestay in Ekas Buana Village for three nights.
According to Suhadi, the homestay owner arranged for him to transport them to Tanjung Luar, but their contact did not appear upon arrival. Police arrived while they were waiting and made the arrests.
“I was shocked to be arrested because I was only asked to accompany them,” Suhadi said.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released the identities of the immigrants or their intended final destination.
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