GOF foils smuggling bid, arrest undocumented migrants
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said the operations, which began on Sunday, were part of Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan.
He said the Seventh Battalion detained a vehicle at a roadblock in Chabang Empat Salam, Rantau Panjang, around 3pm Sunday, on suspicion of transporting undocumented migrants.
"Upon inspection, (they) found three men and two women from Myanmar, all without valid identification.
"The 38-year-old local driver was arrested under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM), while the five Myanmar nationals were held under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63," he said.
He said the driver also tested positive for methamphetamine.
In a separate raid just after midnight on Monday, GOF personnel stormed a house in Kampung Slow Machang, Pasir Mas.
"The raid followed intelligence on smuggling activities.
"A 50-year-old local man, believed to be the tekong darat, tried to flee but was swiftly apprehended.
Officers also found two men and two women from Myanmar, all undocumented and believed to have entered Malaysia illegally.
The team also seized 14 Yaba pills hidden in a cigarette box belonging to the suspect.
All undocumented migrants were held under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act, while the suspected smugglers were arrested under Section 26J of the ATIPSOM Act and Sections 12(2) and 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He said the GOF remains committed to tackling cross-border crimes, especially human trafficking and drug-related offences.
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