KOTA KINABALU: Two homemade shotguns were separately seized from two men, while six suspected junkies and eight illegal immigrants were detained in a three-day land operation in Kalabakan.
In the swoop led by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), the combined team of security forces and enforcement agencies mounted roadblocks and conducted checks in areas near the land border with Indonesia from Nov 16 to Nov 18.
Sabah shares a border with North Kalimantan in Indonesia, and the operation, dubbed the Road Check Point Integrated Ops (RCP), was launched in the district of Kalabakan to vigilantly counter threats from cross-border criminals, especially along illegal routes or "jalan tikus", Esscom commander Deputy Commissioner Datuk Victor Sanjos said the homemade shotguns, or "bakakuk", along with several 12-gauge bullets, were recovered from two men separately in their vehicles during a roadblock, which was part of the joint operation.
"Both suspects were arrested and handed over to the Tawau district police for further investigations," he said, adding that the probe will be conducted under the Firearms Act 1960.
"Six suspected drug addicts were also detained after they tested positive for methamphetamine by the Tawau police narcotics crime investigations division, as well as eight foreigners who had no valid travel documents," he said, noting that the illegal immigrants were referred to the Immigration department for further action.
"There are several known illegal routes used by border criminals to smuggle controlled items, untaxed goods, and even to illegally transport immigrants. These routes near the border connect with districts on the east and west coasts," Victor said.
The Kalabakan RCP operation, which saw 224 vehicles and 426 individuals checked, was necessary to maintain vigilance, he reiterated, adding that the operation involved 66 personnel and officers from various organisations and agencies.
Kalabakan is one of 17 locations where the government has announced plans to upgrade border facilities, including the development of Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security (CIQS) complexes in Sabah and Sarawak.
A sum of about RM170 million has been allocated for the facility enhancements.