14 illegals arrested in Lahad Datu
LAHAD DATU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) arrested 14 illegal immigrants in two separate operations here on Monday and Tuesday.
ESSCom commander DCP Datuk Hazani Ghazali said during the integrated operation in Lahad Datu town areas on Monday, the Immigration Department detained three Filipinos, aged between 30 and 40.
Hazani said those three were among the 46 individuals who were inspected during the operation that began at 8.30am.
He said the operation involved 37 personnel from ESSCom, Police, Armed Forces, Immigration Department, District Council, Road Transport Department and Water Department.
“During the operation, eight compound notices were issued by the District Council while the Road Transport Department issued seven notices to road users for various offences,” he said.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, six men and five women were nabbed during the integrated operation at Felda Sahabat 17, Cenderawasih.
Hazani said those held aged between four and 60 from the Philippines and Indonesia were among 41 individuals inspected during the operation.
He said another 47 individuals were checked during the operation at Pasar Rakyat Lahad Datu on the same day.
“The operation was conducted to enforce the law and the operation runs smoothly following the cooperation and commitment shown by all agencies involved,” he said.
Hazani added that all those apprehended were sent to the temporary detention centre for documentation process.
The marine police also arrested nine illegal immigrants in Sungai Luboh jetty area near Sandakan on Monday night.
Its commander, ACP Mohd Yazib Abd Aziz, said the Filipinos aged between 18 and 55, were arrested around 10.10pm as they were heading to a jetty from a river in two suspicious speedboats.
“However, one of the speedboats fled upon detecting the presence of police while the other boat was captured,” he said in a statement yesterday.
There were two illegals in the speedboat with no registration number.
Mohd Yazib added that the police later found seven illegal immigrants hiding in a nearby swamp.
All of them had admitted they just landed at the area from Basilan, Philippines. They did not have any valid identity document and were then held under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Marine police also seized a speedboat worth about RM8,000 and a Yamaha outboard engine worth about RM27,000.