Immigration Uncovers Human Smuggling Case, Three Pakistani Nationals Named as Suspects

The Directorate General of Immigration has uncovered a human smuggling case to Australia. Three Pakistani nationals (WN) with initials SA, MS, and MWK have been designated as suspects.

The trio planned to smuggle people via sea routes in eastern Indonesia. They were arrested in October last year.

“The three individuals were secured on 10 October 2025 by our PPNS, the Civil Service Investigators in the Directorate General of Immigration, on suspicion of immigration criminal acts,” said Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, during a press conference at the Ministry of Immigration in South Jakarta on Monday (20/4/2026).

The case began when the Aru Resort Police arrested four Pakistani nationals with initials SK, AS, MS, and SUR at a guesthouse in the Dobo area, Maluku, in September 2025. The four victims claimed they were attracted by an offer from one of the suspects via social media.

The victims entered using visitor visas. After arriving in Indonesia, they were housed in a rented accommodation in Tangerang, Banten, before continuing their journey to Ambon, Saumlaki, and Dobo.

“Then around July 2025, SK met SA, a Pakistani national, at a location in Tangerang Regency. After seeing an advertisement offer with promises of legal departure to Australia through SA’s social media account,” said Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement, Yuldi Yusman, during the press conference.

On 15 December 2025, an investigation warrant was issued against SA, MS, and MWK. They were subsequently named as suspects on 18 February 2026 and underwent investigation.

On 10 April 2026, the case files for the three suspects were declared complete (P21) by the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic of Indonesia. They are charged under Article 120 paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, referring to Article 457 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, with a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and fines up to Rp1.5 billion.

“The three Pakistani suspects, along with their evidence, will be handed over to the Tangerang Regency District Attorney’s Office to undergo the judicial process,” he said.

“Meanwhile, the four witnesses, who are the victims, are currently at the Directorate General of Immigration in Kuningan,” he added.