Marine cops detain four illegal immigrants, fishing boat
TAWAU: The Marine Police Force (PPM) detained four foreigners in an operation to curb the entry of illegal immigrants in the district on Sunday night.
A raid was carried out at 7.30pm by a team through the ‘Ops Gelora Khas’ along the coastal area of Kampung Tawau Lama following information and intelligence related to the entry of illegal immigrants in the area.
Tawau Marine Police Force Operations Headquarters Commanding Officer, DSP Mohd Nazari Ismail said when the raiding team arrived at the location, a group of people believed to be illegal immigrants were hiding in the bushes.
The group of three men aged 31 to 41 and a 29-year-old woman who were suspected to have just arrived at the area, were waiting to be transported to the next location.
“After preliminary investigation, all of them were detained for not having valid identity documents and entering the country illegally,” he said.
The suspects were then taken to the PPM Operations Headquarters for further investigation and action.
The case will be investigated under Section 6 (3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and if convicted can be fined not more than RM10,000 or imprisoned not exceeding five years or both and can be whipped not more than six times.
PPM requested the cooperation of the public to channel any information, especially involving the presence of illegal immigrants, to PPM Region 4 Sabah through WhatsApp at 013-2831197.
Meanwhile, the Marine Police Force in Lahad Datu detained a fishing boat for breaching the terms and conditions of its licence on Sunday.
District Marine Commanding Officer, Superintendent Gan Ping
Sin said the boat and its local skipper were detained off Sungai Meruap waters in Tambisan about 9am during the Op Benteng Covid.
Gan said the boat was found conducting fishing activity at the river and the detainment led to the seizure of 30 kilograms of fish, as well as the boat and its equipment worth RM75,900.
He said marine police will not compromise with fishing activities near the coastal or river areas as it would endanger small scale fishermen and the ecosystem.
“The arrest and the seizure were brought to Martek PPM Pulau Tambisan before being handed over to the Fisheries Department for further action.
“The case will be investigated under Section 8(b) of Fisheries Act 1985 for breaching the license terms and conditions,” he said.
Gan urged the public, especially maritime community, to channel any information through WhatsApp at 0132831197 or call 0139808084.