PUTRAJAYA: The authorities have detained 1,215 illegal immigrants and 215 tekong (boat captains) who had attempted to enter the country illegally via rat lanes between May 1 and yesterday in Ops Benteng.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said enforcement agencies also arrested 80 people on suspicion of smuggling and seized 39 vessels.
"Ops Benteng involves the Armed Forces, police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Malaysian Border Security Agency (AKSEM), who joined forces to ensure the country's borders are safeguarded; and to eliminate cross-border crimes and prevent the spread of Covid-19," he told a press conference today.
The police also mounted 68 Ops Benteng roadblocks nationwide and checked 42,336 vehicles.
Nine foreigners were arrested for immigration offences at the roadblocks, he said.
"The government will take stern action against anyone attempting to cross the border illegally and will not compromise with those involved in the smuggling of illegal immigrants into the country," he added.