Yemen seizes smuggling vessel while Malaysia rescues 17 children from trafficking ring

In Yemen, the Ministry of Interior announced the seizure of a smuggling vessel off the coast of Aden. The vessel, operated by a 59-year-old Indian sailor, was found carrying cigarettes, powdered milk, generators, and water pipes. Authorities have detained the owner and are searching for the remaining crew members.

Simultaneously, the Shield of the Nation forces destroyed large quantities of contraband seized at the Al-Wadeeah border crossing in Hadramaut. The confiscated items included over 80,000 packs of cigarettes, various types of tobacco and molasses, and quantities of khat.

In Malaysia, police conducted an operation in Kuala Lumpur known as ‘Op Bentas Kasih’, rescuing 17 Jordanian children aged between three months and 14 years. The children are suspected victims of a human trafficking network used for begging.

Authorities arrested 15 individuals, believed to be Jordanian nationals, during 13 raids in the Bukit Bintang and Chow Kit areas. Investigations suggest the group entered Malaysia legally on social visit passes and used the children to generate daily earnings of between 500 and 1,000 ringgit. Police seized 32 Jordanian passports, multiple mobile phones, and various currencies.