Kupang used as 'transit point'

KUPANG, E. Nusa Tenggara: Many foreigners intending to enter Australia illegally have used Kupang as an entry point because of its proximity, police said.

Kupang Police Chief Lt. Col. Yeremias Sooai said many syndicates had used Kupang to smuggle people from Sri Lanka, the Middle East and Vietnam into Australia, Antara reported.

Police this week arrested 22 people from Sri Lanka because they had misused their stay permits in Indonesia.

They were planning to travel from Lasiana beach to Australia in a motor boat, police believe.

"We are still searching for the agent, who fled as soon as we made the arrests," Yeremias said.

The Sri Lankans are now awaiting deportation.

Previously, local police also arrested 16 people from Iran and Turkey before they could leave for Australia. (09)