4 arrested for illegal entry at Malaysia–Thailand border
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RANTAU PANJANG: Four individuals, including three foreigners, were arrested by the General Operations Force (GOF) for entering Malaysia via an illegal route here yesterday.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said they were arrested at the Tok Awang Belulang illegal jetty at about 3.15pm.
He said the four, comprising two men and two women, were detained by GOF personnel from the 18th Battalion during a routine patrol under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan.
"The boat operator fled upon realising the presence of police, abandoning the passengers at the riverbank.
"The group comprised a local man and three foreigners," he said.
Ros Azhan said an initial investigation showed that the 30-year-old Malaysian man is believed to have acted as a facilitator for the other three individuals, all of whom are Thai nationals.
"The foreigners were found to have entered the country through an illegal route without proper documents," he said.
The local suspect was detained under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while the Thai nationals were held under Section 6(1) of the same Act.
He said all four were taken to the Pasir Mas district police station for further action.
"Two of the male suspects also tested positive for methamphetamine," he said.
Nik Ros Azhan said enforcement efforts at the border have been intensified since Dec 1 last year, following a police-enforced ban on border crossings in a bid to curb smuggling, human trafficking, and drug-related activities along the Malaysia-Thailand border.
"The GOF remains committed to cracking down on cross-border crimes and will continue to strengthen its presence to safeguard national security," he said.
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