SEMPORNA: Fifty-six individuals were detained in an integrated operation coordinated by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) at two locations here on Friday.
Esscom Commander DCP Datuk Victor Sanjos said the operation, carried out with the cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), as well as federal and state departments and agencies and local authorities, recorded seizures worth RM63,987.50.
He said a total of 147 individuals and 104 houses as well as business premises were inspected.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“Of the total, 34 illegal immigrants from the Philippines were detained and handed over to the Immigration Department for committing an offence under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“Another 16 individuals were detained for offences under the National Registration Act 1959 and the National Registration Regulations 1990,” he said.
According to Victor, the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of Semporna Police Headquarters arrested two individuals and seized 15.94gm of methamphetamine.
The duo were taken to the Semporna Police Headquarters for urine test and further investigation under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Victor said the Enforcement Division of the Semporna Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and the 22nd Battalion of the General Operations Force (PGA) Kunak seized a large amount of controlled and subsidised goods, including petrol and cooking oil.
They also seized a wooden boat with an outboard engine used for the activity and detained four individuals under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
“The operation was aimed at combating the smuggling of controlled, subsidised and untaxed goods and the infiltration of illegal immigrants as well as other offences.
“It was also aimed at identifying leakage routes used by criminals near the Semporna land and water borders,” he said.
He added that Esscom will continue to intensify such integrated operations to curb cross-border criminal elements that can disrupt public security and wellbeing in Sabah’s east coast.
