GOF foils five human smuggling attempts over nine days

KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) foiled five human smuggling attempts during operations conducted between Apr 1 and 9.

GOF Sarawak Brigade commander, SAC Mancha Ata said the first case involved the detention of an Indonesian national acting as Tekong and two Indonesian illegal immigrants on Apr 6.

“The illegal immigrants entered Sarawak via a rat trail (jalan tikus) at the Kampung Raso Oil Palm Plantation where the tekong was waiting.

“The vehicle used by them was confiscated along with two handphones and cash amounting to RM1,840,” he said.

The second case which occurred on Apr 7 involved an Indonesian national who acted as tekong and five illegal immigrants from Indonesia who entered Sarawak through a rat trail in Kampung Padang Pan, Bau.

Meanwhile, in the third case at Jalan Bunan Gega, an Indonesian man acting as tekong was arrested along with two male and two female illegal immigrants from Indonesia who had entered Sarawak through a rat trail in Kampung Mongkos, Serian on Apr 8.

Also on April 8, at Jalan Kampung Selampit Lorong Bitokan 9, Lundu, a local man acting as tekong was detained whilesmuggling in three illegal immigrants from Indonesia.

Mancha said the fifth case involved two local tekongs who were trying to smuggle in 10 men and one woman of Indonesian nationality at Lachau, Sri Aman on Apr 8.

“The illegal immigrants hid themselves in the vehicle’s cargo area. The truck used and two handphones were confiscated. This is the first case of human smuggling attempts that use commercial vehicle in the illegal activity,” he added.