The Singapore Police Force has taken into custody Zulkifly Bin Muhammad, a 38-year-old Malaysian man, for his suspected involvement in leading a human smuggling syndicate. With the assistance of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), he was arrested in Malaysia pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by the Singapore Courts and brought back to Singapore on 12 January 2011 for further investigations.

Zulkifly Bin Muhammad is believed to be the leader of a syndicate involved in smuggling illegal immigrants (IIs) by sea into Singapore through the northern Johor Straits. Investigations revealed that Zulfifly Bin Muhammad operated his illegal human smuggling business from Sungei Pok near Kampung Ladang , in western Johor by engaging a team of boatmen to ferry the IIs to Singapore and a middleman to collect smuggling fees from the IIs. He is also believed to have provided shelter and food for the IIs while waiting for an opportune time to smuggle them into Singapore .

Zulkifly Bin Muhammad will be charged in Court on 14 January 2011 at 2pm for 4 counts of "engaging in the business of conveying prohibited immigrantsto enter Singapore unlawfully" under section 57(1) (c) Chapter 133 Immigration Act. The offence is punishable by imprisonment of not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years; as well as caning of not less than three strokes.

The last arrest of a human smuggling syndicate leader was in Mar 2010. The Police Coast Guard ( PCG ) then had successfully prosecuted Herman Bin HJ Latip, also known as “Botak” who was operating his syndicate in the northern Johor Straits. He was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane.

With the latest arrest of Zulkifly Bin Muhammad, PCG has neutralised 13 syndicate leaders or key members involved in illegal human smuggling activities in the last 26 months (up to Jan 2011).

Commander of Police Coast Guard, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Teo Kian Teck said, "The arrest of these syndicate leaders signifies our strong resolve to protect our borders against intrusions. We will continue to be vigilant and will not hesitate to come down hard on those who would threaten the safety and security of our country. We would also like to thank the Royal Malaysia Police, particularly the officers from the Nusajaya District Police HQ, for their assistance in this latest case. This is the 5th arrest of human smuggling syndicate leaders made with their assistance in the past 26 months, a testimonial to effective cooperation between the two forces.”