65 smuggled Bengalis, 4 traffickers captured

It is reported that 65 smuggled Bengalis and four men who trafficked them were arrested in Pyapon Township, and seven died due to the bad weather and lack of food and water.
A combined team of security forces and administrative officials went toinspects the arrival of one boat carrying smuggled Bengalis near Gayatgyi Island (or) Khatta Island, Pyapon Township at around 10:30 pm on 29 August,
Officials found a fishing boat which has 38 feet in length and 10 feet in width between Kadong Kalay Island and Gayatgyi Island (or) Khatta Island and arrested 65 people including 37-year-old Kyaw Zaw Lin from Kwinwyne Village in Thandwe Township, 18-year-old Myo Chit Oo and 35-year-old Than Win from Minbya Township, 52-year-old Myint Shwe from Yanbye Township and 36 male Bengalis and 29 female Bengalis.
According to the investigation of Kyaw Zaw Lin, a boat driver who was arrested, connected with U Siman (under investigation) from Sittway and brought 65 Bengalis from Sittway to Pathein. He testified that U Siman had agreed to take the boat to Ngwethaungyan Beach for K20 million, and U Siman paid him K2.5 million for deposit boat rental fee.
With 65 Bengalies, they drove from Sittway Harbour to Kyaukphyu-Manaung-Ngapali-Thandwe route and anchored in the sea near Shwethaungyan at 1 pm on 22 August.
U Siman said he called at 2 pm on 25 August as they could not dock at Shwethaungyan, so drove with seven points on the GPS, and anchored in the sea near Kadonkani Kyunthaya at 10 pm on 26 August and were detained by the security forces.
Four traffickers and 65 smuggled Bengalis were temporarily detained while five smuggled male Bengalis were detained so that they could be investigated and prosecuted under the law. Other eight women were in poor health conditions due to bad weather and lack of food and water on the way so they received the necessary medical treatment.
During medical treatment, three men and four women died and the remaining six are still under medical treatment.
The arrestee Bengalis and four traffickers, including Kyaw Zaw Lin, have been detained at the Bogale Myoma Police Station and are under prosecution under the law. — TWA/GNLM