40 held in Esscom's operation in Tawau, Kalabakan
Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025
By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Among those detained during the integrated operation. TAWAU: A total of 40 individuals were arrested during a three-day integrated operation in the Tawau and Kalabakan districts, which concluded last Saturday. The joint operation, led by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), targeted illegal immigrants, drug-related activities, smuggling, and various other offences. Of those detained, 21 were illegal immigrants from the Philippines and Indonesia. They have since been handed over to the Immigration Department in Tawau for further action under Sections 15(1)(c) and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Esscom Commander DCP Datuk Victor Sanjos said the operation, a collaboration involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Armed Forces (ATM), Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), and other federal, state, and local agencies, aimed to restore public order and enforce laws across the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone). 'Raids were carried out at the old Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Jetty, Road Check Point (RCP) Kalabakan, and several suburban settlements and villages known for illegal activity,' he said in a statement on Monday. The remaining 19 detainees included two suspected drug dealers, who were brought to Tawau District Police Headquarters for urine screening under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Poisons Act 1952. The authorities also seized 125.64 grammes of syabu, 41 bottles of ketum juice (1.5 litres each), and RM950 in cash. Enforcement personnel inspected 146 individuals, 26 premises and three vehicles. Several violations were identified, including illegal electricity connections in settlements, which caused an about RM750,000 in losses to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB). Action was taken under Section 61(3) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024. The operation also saw the issuance of 35 traffic summonses and two vehicle inspection notices under the Road Transport Act 1987 by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and traffic police. Victor said the operation was part of Op Sanggah Esscom, a continuous nationwide effort to bolster existing enforcement by PDRM, ATM and APMM. 'Esscom remains committed to our principle of 'No Day Without Operation' to prevent foreign criminal elements from threatening the peace in Eastern Sabah,' he added. He also thanked all 254 personnel involved in the operation and urged the public to continue reporting security-related incidents in Esszone by contacting the Esscom Operations Centre at 089-863181 or via WhatsApp at 011-63311072. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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