PASIR MAS: The General Operations Force are going all out to ensure there are no illegal crossings of Sungai Golok, which is running shallow due to the dry weather these days, during this Aidilfitri season.
GOF Central Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commission Sheik Azahar Sheik Omar said, besides 24-hour patrols, his men have also been placed on static guard duty at strategic points along the Malaysian-Thai border.
He said the brigade was also receiving assistance from the Police Air Wing which has deployed drones to monitor the border.
He added that two illegal jetties — "Ibrahim Pencen" and "MCA" — were particular areas of interest.
"More than 300 personnel are on duty covering the border through Op Taring Wawasan throughout this year's Hari Raya to prevent cross-border crime.
"We have identified some of the activities being carried out by smugglers who are busy 'working' while everyone else is busy with Hari Raya Aidilfitri. So, we will not let up and will continue to carry out our own strategies at the border.
"We are appreciative of the sacrifices out men have made, being away from their beloved families on so special an occassion for sake of duty to the country," he told reporters after presenting Raya cookies to policemen on duty at Jeram Padah police station.
Sheik Azahar said the Central Brigade had managed to solve 431 cross-border crimes, with 373 arrests and RM18.5 million in seizures made in the first three months of the year.
"The seizures not only included contraband items, but also drugs and weapons. They were a result of collaboration between GOF and other enforcement agencies through the sharing of information," he said.