Latest news with #NikRosAzhanNikAbHamid


The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
GOF detects more than 100 illegal bases in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: More than 100 illegal bases still exist along the Kelantan-Thailand border despite intensified enforcement and the closure of illegal routes since December, raising security concerns. General Operations Force (GOF) South-East Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid (pic) said the illegal bases are located in the districts of Tumpat, Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah, which serve as key routes for unauthorised cross-border activities. "The terrain and the proximity of these illegal bases to public settlements make continuous monitoring challenging,' he said when met recently. He said that between Jan 1 and July 14 this year, 71 individuals were arrested for illegally crossing the border via Sungai Golok. The group comprised 54 men and 17 women from Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan and Myanmar. ALSO READ: Illegal border crossings in Kelantan raise serious security concerns, says deputy MB All arrests were made under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, involving 42 Malaysians, 26 Thais, two Pakistanis and one Myanmar national. Nik Ros Azhan said most of the arrests took place along the banks of Sungai Golok, which was previously the main route for residents on both sides of the border. "Although the closure order was issued some time ago, there are still individuals who try to take advantage of these illegal routes without considering the security and legal risks," he said. He added that some of those detained claimed they only intended to cross briefly to shop, visit relatives, or for leisure, while others were seeking employment in informal sectors such as construction, plantations, and food and beverage. In addition, some arrests were related to the smuggling of subsidised goods, he added. Since Kelantan police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat ordered the closure of illegal jetties and bases in December, residents with relatives across the border have been forced to use the official route through the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex, even for minor matters. The move has also impacted boat operators along Sungai Golok, who now face a lack of customers as people are no longer willing to cross the border freely. Nik Ros Azhan stressed that the GOF, together with other security agencies, will continue to strengthen border control to safeguard the country's sovereignty. "Anyone wishing to enter the neighbouring country must use legal routes and comply with immigration laws,' he said. On July 5, Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan reiterated the need for stronger border enforcement through increased manpower, enhanced security assets and integrated cooperation among all relevant agencies. He added that the presence of numerous illegal routes along the Kelantan-Thailand border remains a serious national security concern. – Bernama


The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Over 100 illegal bases found along Kelantan-Thailand border
KOTA BHARU: More than 100 illegal bases remain active along the Kelantan-Thailand border despite intensified enforcement efforts and the closure of unauthorised routes since December last year. The General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander, Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid, confirmed the presence of these bases in Tumpat, Pasir Mas, and Tanah Merah districts, which serve as key pathways for cross-border violations. 'The terrain and the proximity of these illegal bases to public settlements make continuous monitoring challenging,' he told Bernama. Between January 1 and July 14 this year, 71 individuals were arrested for illegally crossing the border via Sungai Golok. The detainees included 54 men and 17 women from Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, and Myanmar. All arrests were made under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, involving 42 Malaysians, 26 Thais, two Pakistanis, and one Myanmar national. Nik Ros Azhan noted that most arrests occurred along Sungai Golok, previously the main route for border residents. 'Although the closure order was issued some time ago, there are still individuals who try to take advantage of these illegal routes without considering the security and legal risks,' he said. Some detainees claimed they crossed briefly for shopping, visiting relatives, or leisure, while others sought informal employment in construction, plantations, and restaurants. Additionally, some arrests were linked to the smuggling of subsidised goods. Since Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat ordered the shutdown of illegal jetties and bases in December 2024, residents with relatives across the border have been compelled to use the official Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complex. The stricter enforcement has also affected boat operators along Sungai Golok, who now face declining customers as border crossings are no longer unrestricted. Nik Ros Azhan stressed that the GOF, alongside other security agencies, will continue tightening border control to protect national sovereignty. 'Anyone wishing to enter the neighbouring country must use legal routes and comply with immigration laws,' he said. On July 5, Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan called for stronger border enforcement through increased manpower, improved security assets, and better inter-agency coordination. He highlighted that the numerous illegal routes along the Kelantan-Thailand border remain a critical national security issue. - Bernama


The Star
7 days ago
- The Star
High steaks: Syndicates using livestock sheds to smuggle drugs
PASIR MAS: Cow sheds are now believed to be used as transit points by drug syndicates operating along the Kelantan–Thailand border, exposing shed owners to the risk of being exploited as middlemen. General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said that while there is no evidence of direct involvement by the owners, intelligence reports suggest that drugs are being smuggled alongside cattle or goats using the sheds' logistics networks. 'We warn cattle shed owners near the border that they risk becoming middlemen—either willingly, tempted by huge profits, or through coercion by syndicates,' he said. The syndicates are believed to be using sheds in areas such as Kampung Tualang and Simpangan in Tumpat, as well as Kampung Kubang Pak Itam, Jeram Perdah, and Tok Deh in Pasir Mas. Recently, the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, together with Kelantan police, seized 35.4kg of pil kuda (amphetamine pills) worth over RM5mil in six raids conducted in Pasir Mas and Tumpat. In one raid, 20kg of drugs were found hidden in cow dung in a shed owned by a suspect in Banggol Chica, Pasir Mas. Nik Ros Azhan said that in the first six months of this year, the GOF recorded 34 cases of livestock smuggling with 39 arrests, involving 818 animals—274 cattle, 18 buffaloes, and 526 sheep and goats. In 2024, the GOF recorded 47 cases with 56 individuals arrested and 80,755 animals seized, including 80,025 chickens, 385 cows, 340 sheep and goats, and five buffaloes. 'GOF inspections at several illegal crossings also uncovered ropes tied to tree trunks for securing cattle, along with traces of dung and hoofprints along the riverbanks. 'Once enough cattle are gathered, they are herded two to three kilometres from the riverbank to illegal sheds, before being loaded onto lorries and transported to specific destinations,' he said. He stressed that the GOF will continue to tighten enforcement, and stern action will be taken if it is proven that any shed owners are complicit in smuggling activities involving cattle or goats. - Bernama


The Sun
13-07-2025
- The Sun
GOF busts smuggling ring, seizes 1.15 mln cigarettes in Pasir Puteh
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade dismantled a cigarette smuggling operation during a raid in Mukim Jerus, Bukit Jawa, Pasir Puteh. The early morning operation, conducted under Op Taring Alpha 1, uncovered 1.15 million illicit cigarettes of the 'John JDB' and 'SAAT' brands. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid confirmed the seizure, stating the contraband was found inside a vehicle and a container. The total haul, including the vehicle and container, was valued at RM2.215 million. Authorities also detained an Indonesian man hiding in a nearby cabin. The suspect lacked valid identification documents. All seized items and the individual were handed over to the Pasir Puteh district police for further investigation. The case is being probed under Section 135(d) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. – Bernama

Barnama
13-07-2025
- Barnama
GOF Busts Smuggling Syndicate, Seizes 1.15 Mln Cigarettes
KOTA BHARU, July 13 (Bernama) -- The General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade crippled a cigarette smuggling syndicate in a raid under Op Taring Alpha 1 at a quarry area in Mukim Jerus, Bukit Jawa, Pasir Puteh last Friday. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the 6.30 am raid led to the discovery of 1.15 million white cigarettes of the 'John JDB' and 'SAAT' brands, believed to have been smuggled for the local market. He said the cigarettes were found inside a vehicle and a container at the raid location, with the total value of the seizure — including the vehicle and container — estimated at RM2.215 million.