Customs roadblock thwarts people smuggling attempt
KUCHING: The Customs Department’s Enforcement Division stopped a vehicle transporting illegal immigrants during a roadblock along Jalan Kuching-Serian on Monday.
Customs Sarawak director Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha said five illegal immigrants and the van driver were arrested during Ops Benteng 2020 at around 12.30am.
“From our search and inspection of the van, our enforcement team found five Pati (illegal immigrants) hiding along the back seats of the vehicle.
“Further inspections found that all of the Pati had their passports, but without the Immigration Department stamp on them, which led to the arrests for further investigation.
“The van driver, who is a local, was also detained to assist in the investigation,” she said in a statement.
Sharifah Halimah said the modus operandi of the transport agent was to transport the illegal immigrants during the wee hours to avoid being checked by enforcement personnel.
“Pati were picked up from the Serian bus station and boarded the van before they were detained by the operation’s enforcement personnel at a roadblock along Jalan KuchingSerian.
“Normally, for transport agents, they get a lucrative amount of income when they provide transport for the Pati. They are not worried about the Covid-19 pandemic and are not intimidated by the legal action of
From our search and inspection of the van, our enforcement team found five Pati (illegal immigrants) hiding along the back seats of the vehicle. Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha
the authorities,” she said.
She also said the illegal immigrants are believed to have entered the state through an illegal entry point, and are believed to have been on their way to meet up with an individual in the Kota Samarahan area.
The case is being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670), Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), as well as the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
The public can channel information related to any smuggling of prohibited or controlled goods without import permits by contacting the Customs Toll Free Line on 1-800888855, the public complaints website at http://aduan.customs. gov.my, or the nearest Customs office.
The Customs Department guarantees the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.