An 18-year-old suspected ‘tekong darat’ was arrested in Kelantan for smuggling migrants, with RM126,551 in cash and passports seized in the operation
KOTA BHARU: An 18-year-old youth has been arrested for allegedly acting as a ‘tekong darat’ or ground coordinator for a migrant smuggling syndicate. The General Operations Force (GOF) apprehended the suspect in Kampung Bunohan following a vehicle chase.
The suspect is believed to have been paid RM100 for each illegal immigrant he transported. He was arrested at about 4am during a follow-up operation after an initial interception the previous night.
During the first operation at 11.30 pm, GOF members chased and stopped a speeding vehicle along the Terbok-Kelaboran Belukar route. Two men managed to escape from the vehicle, but five foreign nationals were found hiding inside.
GOF Southeast Brigade Commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the suspect tested positive for drugs. He is believed to have used his brother’s Mitsubishi Triton four-wheel drive for the illicit transports from the border to the Kota Bharu Bus Station.
Further investigation led to the seizure of the vehicle, five passports, four mobile phones and cash in various currencies. The total value of the seized cash was RM126,551.
Ahmad Radzi said the five foreigners comprised four Indian men and one Sri Lankan national. They were smuggled into Malaysia from Thailand via an illegal river crossing by boat.
Investigations found each immigrant had paid approximately RM3,000 to agents in their home countries to arrange entry into Malaysia. All suspects have been handed over to the Tumpat district police headquarters for further action.
The case is being investigated under Section 55(e) and Section 6(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. The suspect also faces investigation under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
