Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah
RANTAU PANJANG: Flood victims are facing problems due to Sungai Golok’s rising water levels, but smugglers are using it as an opportunity to bring in illegal immigrants.
Ten Myanmar nationals were arrested by members of the General Operations Force (GOF) after they entered Kelantan via one of the illegal jetties along the border recently.
GOF Ninth Battalion commanding officer Superintendent Nor Azizan Yusof said the immigrants comprised seven men and three women, and were detained at a traffic light in Banggol Kulim on Monday.
“Our members stopped a four-wheel-drive vehicle suspected of carrying illegal immigrants when it passed the road about 4.45pm.
“After checking the vehicle, they found the 10 foreigners,” he said, adding that a local man believed to be the tekong was also arrested.
Nor Azizan said the local man and the foreigners were being held for further investigations.
“We suspect smugglers are taking advantage of the rising river levels to bring in illegals,” he said.
On another development, he said GOF members had foiled an attempt by a suspected drug pusher to distribute about RM70,000 worth of syabu.
He said the man was travelling in a car when he was detained at Kampung Lubok Jong about 5.30pm on Monday.
Nor Azizan said the battalion also seized the vehicle worth about RM30,000 from the man who is from Tumpat.