Malaysian police arrest 10, including a Thai driver, in a dawn raid targeting illegal immigrant smuggling in Kelantan.
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (PGA) foiled an attempt to smuggle illegal immigrants with the arrest of 10 individuals, including a Thai driver, in an operation at Jalan Kampung Kubang Bemban, Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, yesterday morning (June 22).
GOF Southeast Brigade Commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the arrests were made under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan by the 8th Battalion at about 6.30 am following intelligence on illegal immigrant smuggling activities in the area.
He said the operation team detected a suspicious Honda Accord, whose driver attempted to flee but was successfully apprehended after a brief scuffle.
“Further checks found that the 25-year-old driver is a Thai national and tested positive for drugs, while the nine others detained comprise seven Chinese nationals and two Myanmar nationals.
“Only one of the Chinese nationals produced a passport, but the document did not bear a valid entry stamp into Malaysia, while the others failed to produce any travel documents and are believed to have entered the country through illegal routes,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Ahmad Radzi said GOF seized a Honda Accord, 22 mobile phones and a laptop, with the total value estimated at RM77,100.
He said initial investigations found that the driver admitted to being involved in illegal immigrant smuggling activities since January, receiving RM150 for each person transported to a designated destination.
He added that nine iPhones of various models and a laptop seized from one of the foreign nationals are believed to be linked to online scam activities.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the foreign nationals arrested are believed to have entered Malaysia to carry out online scam activities,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
