LUNDU: A planned attempt by two locals to transport eight illegal immigrants from Kampung Selampit jetty to plantations, was thwarted by immigration officers during a special operation.
Sarawak Immigration Department director Abdul Halim Abang Naili said the operation, acting on public tip-offs, was carried out on Saturday (Apr 19).
At about 2.30 pm, the team observed suspicious activity when eight foreigners were seen crossing Sungai Selampit and boarding two waiting vehicles.
“The vehicles were tailed to a car park at Ming Ming Food Junction in Bau Town, where a raid was immediately launched, resulting in the arrest of ten individuals — eight foreigners and their two local drivers.
“Initial investigation found that the illegals had entered Malaysia via an ungazetted entry point and did not possess any valid travel documents.
“It was understood that the foreigners were offered the transportation service to oil palm plantations around Tatau and Sarikei for a fee of RM2,300 per person by the local transporters (tekong),” he said.
Those arrested are aged between 40 and 50 years old. Officers also seized three mobile phones, RM7,147 in cash and two vehicles for investigation.
Abdul Halim said the modus operandi pointed to an illegal network of agents acting as transporters to smuggle foreigners through non-designated routes.
“Such actions were believed to be part of a planned human smuggling activity by irresponsible parties attempting to bypass security checks at official entry points,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007.
