13 illegals, local transporters nabbed at oil palm plantation
KUCHING: Thirteen undocumented migrants and three locals were detained by Malaysian soldiers inside an oil palm plantation in Lundu on Tuesday.
The army’s First Infantry Division in a statement yesterday said the suspects were trying to enter the state through an illegal route inside the plantation.
According to the statement, an army patrol team came across two vehicles around 1.30pm heading towards the MalaysiaIndonesia border. Inside the vehicles were two men and a woman.
“At 3.30pm, both vehicles were making their way back from the border, which resulted in the patrol team springing into action.
“Checks revealed that inside the vehicles were 13 undocumented immigrants comprising 11 males and two females aged 17 to 73,” it said.
Two vehicles and 11 smartphones worth RM73,000 were seized in the operation. The suspects and the seized items were later handed over to Lundu police for further action.
Also in Lundu, an army patrol team came across nine suspicious-looking individuals inside an oil palm plantation 150m from the MalaysiaIndonesia border around 10.30pm Tuesday.
The individuals comprised eight males and a female aged 16 to 48 who are believed to have entered the state illegally.
Checks on the individuals revealed that none of them carried any illegal items or substances. Inside their bags were only their personal belongings.
All were ordered to return to their home country through the Semunying border post in Lundu.
A report of the incident was lodged at the Lundu police station.