13 hotspot entry points for illegals identified along Kelantan border

 

GOF Seventh Battalion commander Superintendent Azhari Nusi said the battalion had made a series of arrests of illegal immigrants since Sept 14. -NSTP/Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah

RANTAU PANJANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) has identified 13 hotspots used by people smugglers operating along the Kelantan-Thailand border.

GOF Seventh Battalion commander Superintendent Azhari Nusi said the battalion had made a series of arrests of illegal immigrants since Sept 14, leading to the identification of the hot spots.

He said 57 undocumented immigrants from various countries, though mostly from Thailand and Cambodia, were detained by the battalion during Op Benteng, the codename for operations against illegal immigrations.

"Following their arrests, we identified the hot spots used by smugglers to bring in the immigrants and they include Jeram Perdah and Pengkalan Kubor," he told reporters after visiting the hot spot areas.

General Operations Force (GOF) personnel on duty along the Kelantan-Thailand border. -NSTP/Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah

Azhari said initial investigations showed that the immigrants would be sent to work in places such as Kuala Lumpur and Pahang.

"Initial checks also revealed that these immigrants will be hired to work in various sectors such as restaurants, sundry shops and even as fishermen," he said.

Azhari, however, said the setting up of concertina wires at hot spots covering a 41km-long stretch of the border had helped a lot in reducing the number of illegal immigrants entering the country.

"Since the setting up of the wires on July 13, fewer smuggling and cross-border activities happened along the Kelantan-Thailand border.

"Smugglers also are afraid to cut the wires as they realise that enforcement officers will carry out survelliance round-the-clock," he said. - NST