11 migrants detained in raid on illegal mining site
KUALA KRAI: The General Operations Force (GOF) have detained 11 illegal immigrants in a raid on an unlicensed iron ore mining site here, following public tip-offs.
Southeast Brigade GOF commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the crackdown in Kampung Pahi was carried out at 1.30pm yesterday.
He said the arrests were made by the 8th Battalion under Op Taring Wawasan.
"The GOF team went to the area following public tip-offs.
"After raiding the place, they found seven Bangladeshi men, three Nepalese men and one Indonesian man who were working at the site.
"One of them did not possess a valid work permit, four others had expired permits, while the remaining individuals failed to produce any valid identification or entry documents into Malaysia," Ros Azhan said.
"All of them were taken to the Kuala Krai district police for further action," he added.
The foreigners were hired by an individual to do the illegal mining works, Ros Azhan said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
The billion-Baht casino empire: How Thai-Cambodia border tensions expose hidden networks of power
BANGKOK: Recent border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have inadvertently exposed a sprawling network of influential figures who have built a multi-billion baht casino empire along the frontier, according to explosive new research from the Centre for Gambling Problem Studies. The territorial dispute, which erupted into clashes at Chong Bok in Ubon Ratchathani province and led to reduced border crossing hours from Saturday (June 7), has disrupted what investigators describe as a "massive profit network" hidden behind the Thai-Cambodia frontier. The Koh Kong Kingdom At the heart of this investigation lies the Koh Kong Resort casino, located just 800 metres from Thailand's permanent Khlong Yai border crossing in Trat province. The operation is owned by "Oknha Ly Yong Phat," known in Thailand as "Pad Suphapa" or "Sia Pad," a Cambodian senator and businessman of Chinese-Thai descent. Sia Pad controls tens of thousands of rai through his LYP Group, one of Cambodia's largest corporations under the Li So company umbrella. Beyond casinos and hotels, his business empire encompasses industrial estates, fruit centres, commercial buildings, private roads, and river bridges. Most significantly, the research identifies Sia Pad's connection to former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, described as his "elder brother" and political patron. This relationship reportedly began when Sia Pad supported Hun Sen's political campaigns in Koh Kong province, leading to electoral victory and Sia Pad's subsequent appointment to Cambodia's highest royal title of "Oknha." The Poipet Powerbrokers Cambodia now hosts approximately 150 casinos, making it Southeast Asia's gambling capital, with most concentrated along the Thai border. The largest hub is Poipet in Banteay Meanchey province, opposite Thailand's Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo, where an estimated 80% of gamblers are Thai nationals. Key Poipet operations include Grand Diamond City, owned by Watthana Asavahem, a former 11-term MP from Samut Prakan known as the "Paknam Godfather." - Photo: The Nation/ANN He purchased the business in 2001 for approximately 700 million baht and attempted to sell it in 2021 for 12 billion baht. Watthana currently faces a 10-year prison sentence for land fraud. Holiday Poipet represents a joint venture between Indonesian, Macau Chinese, and Thai businessmen, whilst Star Vegas & Club involves oil tycoons partnering with Taiwanese investors and the brother of a former Cambodian defence minister. The Shadow Shareholding System The research reveals a sophisticated "nominee shareholding" system where influential Cambodians leverage land ownership to secure stakes in casino operations. Former Khmer Rouge leader Samphor, who became Pailin province's governor, exemplifies this pattern by opening his territory to Thai investors whilst demanding partnership stakes in multiple casinos including Pailin, Crown Diamond, Dream World, and K.R. Victoria casinos. These arrangements require casino operators to pay overlapping concession fees to both central and local governments, creating multiple layers of profit-sharing amongst political elites. Cross-Border Corruption Networks The investigation exposes systematic corruption involving officials on both sides of the border. Casino operators must pay bribes to facilitate border crossing schedules, passport processing, contraband inspections, and cross-border money transfers. Crucially, the casinos serve as money-laundering centres for Thai elite engaged in illegal businesses, with conspiracies between money launderers and casino owners who often become VIP clients. The research identifies "Kok An," a wealthy Cambodian businessman and Hun Sen adviser, who was involved in constructing the Princess Crown casino in Poipet. The project violated border agreements, prompting Thai protests and forcing construction to halt with excavated canal soil returned. Border Restrictions Hit Casino Profits The current border restrictions directly impact casino operations, particularly at the Aranyaprathet-Poipet crossing, now operating 08:00-16:00 with explicit prohibition: "Thai nationals travelling for gambling and tourism are forbidden to leave the country." These measures may represent attempts to control gambling and cross-border crime, but they also highlight the complex relationships between state power, business interests, and influence networks spanning both nations. The International Web The casino network involves multiple international players including "Tony," an Indonesian businessman owning Holiday Palace and Holiday Poipet; Chen Lip Keong, a Malaysian tycoon controlling Naga World through NagaCorp; Macau Chinese businessmen with stakes in multiple casinos; and Taiwanese investment groups in Star Vegas. Thai involvement includes "Sia Somboon," former Star Vegas and Star King owner, Cosmo Oil businessmen holding Star Vegas shares, and local Sa Kaeo entrepreneurs with stakes across multiple operations. Questions for the Future The current Thai-Cambodia dispute has inadvertently exposed what researchers describe as a "colossal profit network" generating billions of baht whilst connecting influential figures across both countries. As border tensions continue, the sustainability of these cross-border gambling empires faces unprecedented scrutiny. The key question remains: how long will the current dispute last, and what will be its ultimate impact on the multi-billion baht casino networks that have operated in the shadows of Thai-Cambodia relations for decades? - The Nation/ANN [* This investigation is based on research by the Centre for Gambling Problem Studies examining economic and political elite networks and the impact of border casinos along the Thai-Cambodia frontier.]
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Two Indonesians arrested in Los Angeles immigration raids
Fireworks explode around police officers in riot gear on Monday (June 9) during a protest in response to federal immigration operations in the Little Tokyo neighbourhood of downtown Los Angeles, the United States. US President Donald Trump's administration said on Monday that it was sending 700 US Marines and thousands more National Guard troops to Los Angeles, sparking a furious response from California's governor over the 'deranged' deployment. Protests in Los Angeles, home to a large Latino population, broke out on June 6, triggered by immigration raids that resulted in dozens of arrests of what authorities say are illegal migrants and gang members. - Photo: AFP JAKARTA: Two Indonesian nationals were arrested during a recent wave of immigration raids in Los Angeles, the United States, the Foreign Ministry confirmed, adding that consular officials are actively coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance to the detainees. As tensions escalate across the city, marked by ongoing protests and clashes with law enforcement, the Foreign Ministry urged Indonesian citizens residing in the area to exercise caution and avoid crowded places. The raids, conducted by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), began late last week, targeting neighborhoods with large Latino populations such as Westlake and Paramount. Two Indonesian citizens were arrested during these operations, namely a 53-year-old-woman identified as ESS who was detained for her undocumented status, and a 48-year-old man, CT, with a similar status and prior drug-related offenses. The foreign ministry's citizen protection director Judha Nugraha said on Tuesday (June 10) that it has established contact with the families of both Indonesian citizens, who told officials that they have engaged legal counsel. 'We will continue to monitor the protection of their rights under the US legal system,' Judha affirmed. The exact number of arrests in Los Angeles since the raids began remains unclear, with estimates ranging from 40 to 60 individuals reported on Monday alone. Nationwide, ICE claims to have arrested an average of 3,000 people daily in May. According to DHS statements, the operation aims to apprehend 'the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,' including those with records of murder, sexual assault, theft, battery and illegal drug possession. Protests erupted in Los Angeles on Sunday in response to the raids, drawing thousands to the streets. Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement have continued through Tuesday with no sign of easing. Hundreds of protesters have been arrested so far, with the DHS condemning the protests as 'defending heinous illegal alien criminals [...] at the expense of Americans' safety'. US President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles over the weekend, actions taken without the approval of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The military presence has further intensified the unrest, with reports of authorities using tear gas, flash grenades and other military tactics against protestors since Sunday. On Tuesday, Trump ordered an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to be deployed to Los Angeles. Governor Newsom condemned the move as an 'abuse of power' and a 'serious breach of state sovereignty' in a statement on X. 'This is a manufactured crisis. He is creating fear and terror to take over a state militia and violate the US constitution. The illegal order he signed could allow him to send the military into any state he wishes,' he further wrote. The unrest in Los Angeles has sparked nationwide protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies, with demonstrations reported in cities including San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Las Vegas, Washington, New York and Boston. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens across the US to steer clear of protest sites, assuring that consular representatives remain in close contact with the Indonesian diaspora. 'Indonesian citizens affected by US immigration policies should understand their rights in the US legal system, including the right to receive legal assistance and the right to contact the nearest Indonesian Representative,' the ministry emphasized in an official statement. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
No more hiding: Undercover units to storm Kelantan-Thailand border in major crime clampdown
KOTA BARU, June 10 — The Kelantan police will increase the number of undercover intelligence officers in the border area soon to combat cross-border crime that continues to occur despite tightened security controls. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the matter would be discussed with General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander, Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid, in a meeting tomorrow. He said this action is deemed necessary since cross-border crime is still occurring, although the detected cases were isolated. 'There are arrests almost every day. So, we will change the operational method by increasing the number of plainclothes intelligence units, involving GOF members and police, to patrol the border area,' he said. 'The approach is being taken because most people only feel intimidated when they see the presence of uniformed security personnel, while criminals can take advantage of locations with little visible security surveillance,' he said after attending the Kelantan Contingent Ibadah Korban event at the Kelantan contingent police headquarters here today. Commenting further, he explained that the distance between the GOF control posts, which can be as far as two to three km apart, is also why smugglers can still slip through incognito. 'The Malaysia-Thailand border spans 136km, while the area under Kelantan police surveillance is 91km. Hence, it is not easy to monitor it completely because each post is far apart. 'The big gaps open up space for people to commit cross-border crimes unnoticed, since crossing the river by boat only takes a minute,' he said. According to him, in the one-week period from May 31 to June 8, a total of 13 arrests related to cross-border crimes were made under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. 'The most common reasons often given by perpetrators are to visit family, retrieving vehicle keys and so on. Only two cases (a few) involved entertainment-related purposes,' he said. — Bernama
