Serdang Bedagai, North Sumatra. A fishing ship captain, identified by the initials MZ, has been arrested for illegally transporting Indonesian migrant workers from neighboring Malaysia to the Serdang Bedagai regency in North Sumatra, an official said on Monday.

The arrest took place during a recent operation off the coasts of Kuala Putri in the Pantai Cermin district. Police found 67 illegal workers on board the vessel during the operation, said Jahari Sitepu, the head of the North Sumatra office of the Justice Ministry.

The suspect, MZ, confessed to transporting illegal Indonesian workers from Malaysia on four separate occasions. For each trip, he received a payment of Rp 16.5 million ($1,046), according to Sitepu.

MZ is now facing charges under immigration law violations and could potentially be sentenced to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Following police interrogations, the workers were handed over to the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency. They will be returned to their hometowns without facing charges, said the official.

“These workers aren't originally from North Sumatra,” Jahari said.

Currently, the suspect is awaiting trial at a detention facility managed by the local prosecutor’s office.