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Drug-positive man held smuggling nine undocumented migrants
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Conflict & Security

Drug-positive man held smuggling nine undocumented migrants

From Utusan Malaysia · (1d ago) Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Malaysian authorities arrested a local man suspected of drug use for smuggling nine undocumented migrants.
  • The suspect was apprehended during a sting operation in Bandar Baru Pasir Pekan, involving six Bangladeshi nationals with valid passports but no entry permits, and three Myanmar nationals without any documents.
  • Investigations revealed the suspect was part of a larger smuggling ring, receiving RM100 per migrant and communicating with a Thailand-based organizer named 'Jef'.

Pasukan Gerakan Am (PGA) forces have once again demonstrated their commitment to national security by thwarting a human smuggling attempt in Tumpat. This operation, which led to the arrest of a local man found to be positive for methamphetamine, highlights the persistent threat of illegal immigration and drug abuse plaguing our borders.

Acting on intelligence regarding migrant smuggling, duty members detected a Proton Iswara Aeroback car being driven suspiciously and stopping behind a shop in the Bandar Baru Pasir Pekan area.

— Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi HussainDescribing the initial detection of the suspicious vehicle during the operation.

The captured migrants, including those with passports but lacking proper entry visas and others entirely without documentation, were allegedly brought in through illegal routes from Thailand. This underscores the sophisticated nature of these smuggling networks, often facilitated by individuals operating from neighboring countries.

The urine screening of the 24-year-old suspect found him to be positive for methamphetamine.

— Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi HussainConfirming the drug use of the apprehended suspect.

The involvement of younger individuals, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, acting as 'riki jalan' (road scouts) for a fee of RM150, is particularly concerning. It points to the exploitation of youth in these illicit activities, further complicating law enforcement efforts.

The land smuggler admitted to picking up the undocumented migrants in Kampung Laut and delivering them to Wakaf Bharu before they were taken by another individual he did not know.

— Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi HussainDetailing the suspect's confession about the smuggling process.

This incident, as reported by Utusan Malaysia, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Malaysian authorities in maintaining border integrity and combating the twin evils of human trafficking and drug-related crime. The collaboration between various agencies and the vigilance of our security forces are paramount in safeguarding our nation.

The land smuggler admitted to picking up the undocumented migrants in Kampung Laut and delivering them to Wakaf Bharu before they were taken by another individual he did not know.

— Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi HussainDetailing the suspect's confession about the smuggling process.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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