GEORGE TOWN, Jan 14 — A Myanmar man who was found beaten to death in Kubang Semang, Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) near here yesterday, might have been linked to a human trafficking syndicate.

Penang CID chief, SAC Mazlan Kesah said following the discovery of the body of construction worker Abul Kassim Abdul Shukur, 40, the police rescued 17 Myanmar men who were found confined to a house in Kulim, Kedah.

He said initial investigations revealed the 17 were victims of human trafficking and smuggling of illegal immigrants, adding that two Myanmese and a Bangladeshi who watched over the house were detained to facilitate investigations.

The trio were aged between 18 and 24.

“We believe Abul Kassim was murdered as there was unhappiness in the sharing of profits from the human trafficking deal.

“Five local men aged between 26 and 34, have been detained in connection with the Myanmar’s murder.

“Our investigations into the murder led us to the involvement of Myanmese in human trafficking. We are leaving the case (human trafficking) to the Kedah police to handle,” Mazlan told a press conference here today.

Yesterday, the police found Abul Kassim’s body in a bush at an oil palm plantation in Jalan Ara Kuda SPT near here.

The body was identified by the victim’s family at the Seberang Jaya Hospital near here.

About 5.20pm on Monday, Abul Kassim was reportedly dragged into a Proton Saga before the vehicle sped off towards Sungai Nibong here.

Mazlan said the police believed the victim, who held a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card was murdered in another state before his body was dumped in SPT.

He said the five suspects would be remanded until Jan 20, adding that more people might have bee involved in the case.

Meanwhile, Mazlan said the police had solved nine of 18 murder cases involving Myanmars in the state, including those linked to the dismembering of bodies and dumping of body parts in several areas.

“The police are also tracking down another group suspected to be involved in the gruesome murders,” he added. — Bernama