Army men foil attempt to smuggle goods at M’sia-Indonesia border near Bau
Members of the Armed Forces (ATM) had foiled an attempt to smuggle goods at the Malaysia-Indonesia border near Bau.
The Eastern Field Command, in a statement, said the troops from the First Infantry Division were undertaking an operation, ‘Op Awas/Keris Parang’ on late Monday morning, covering an oil farm at Kampung Stass in Bau, about 120m away from the border.
“At the time, they stopped a sixtonne lorry, which could be seen transporting a covered load as it was about to pass the border via an unmarked route.
“Upon inspection, it was found that a 54-year-old local man was transporting 750 sacks, containing small shallots, estimated to be worth RM 75,000, on board the vehicle.
“We believe that the intention was to smuggle the shallots to Kalimantan, Indonesia,” said Eastern Field Command.
“Together with the lorry, total seizure was estimated to be worth RM195,000.
“All items were handed over to the police at Bau station for further action, with the local man being detained.”
In this regard, it said the ATM would continue to tighten border control to ensure that the nation’s sovereignty would be protected from any form of encroachment by illegal immigrants, smuggling activities or cross-border crimes.