A modified tanker carrying illegal migrants headed for New Zealand and Australia as part of a human trafficking operation has been intercepted by Malaysian police.
The tanker, which has the name Etra painted on the side, was reportedly carrying 131 Sri Lankans - 98 men, 24 women, four boys and five girls.
Five Malaysians believed to be linked to the syndicate were arrested, according to Singapore-based Channel News Asia.
Seven others, three Indonesians and four Malaysians, who were on board a fishing boat used to transport the migrants to the rusty tanker were also arrested following a raid.
![The rusty tanker with name Etra painted in its side was crammed with illegal migrants. (Photo: Royal Malaysia Police)](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/KOYA2UT77KGX6PRUYSLPJWCE3A.jpg?auth=9d0437916366a032f3689cfa9c26f3563110f8f9eea183d2d0caeacd25901050&width=16&height=9&quality=70&smart=true)