KUDAT: A total of 25 undocumented migrants, including six individuals who tested positive for drugs, were detained in a joint operation by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here yesterday.
The integrated operation was conducted together with the Malaysian Immigration Department, Customs Department and the National Anti-Drug Agency (Nada), around 8am.
The Kudat Maritime Zone director, Maritime Commander Maurice Grenville Abeyeratne, said the joint operation was based on intelligence obtained previously.
He said officers and personnel from all the relevant agencies were deployed to the vicinity of the Kudat Fishermen's Jetty, and inspections were conducted by ground assault teams.
"Three maritime zone patrol assets were also deployed to conduct surveillance and monitoring and subsequently conducted inspections in nearby waters.
"During the inspection, several individuals jumped into the sea and hid among the narrow spaces of fishing boats to evade inspection.
"However, with the presence of numerous personnel and the assistance of surveillance and monitoring assets at sea, the individuals were detained," he said in a media statement today.
According to him, as a result of the operation, a total of 25 individuals were detained for suspected offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Drug Dependents (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983.
"This includes two locals who tested positive for Methamphetamine through urine screening conducted by NADA.
"All the suspects were subsequently detained and handed over to the authorities for further action," he said.
He said the cases were being investigated under Section 6 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to produce valid travel documents during the inspection and Section 3 (1) of the Drug Dependents (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 for suspected drug addiction.
He expressed appreciation to all agencies involved in the success of the operation.
"Operations like these will be continued from time to time to ensure the safety of Malaysia's Maritime Zone, especially in the Kudat district, is always guaranteed," he said.