Police Detain 24 Undocumented Migrants In Tumpat

KOTA BHARU, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Kelantan police foiled a smuggling attempt after detaining 24 undocumented migrants from Myanmar, China, Bangladesh and Afghanistan along the riverbank in Pasir Pekan Hulu, Wakaf Bharu, Tumpat yesterday.

Tumpat police chief ACP Mohd Khairi Shafie said the migrants, aged between two and 42, did not possess any valid travel documents.

“A team from the Tumpat district police headquarters managed to thwart the smuggling activity after intercepting three vehicles, namely two Nissan X-Trails and a Honda City, believed to have been used to transport the migrants into the country.

“However, the drivers of the three vehicles, whose identities have yet to be ascertained, managed to escape by fleeing towards the riverbank,” he said in a statement today.

He said police officers, assisted by the Fire and Rescue team, attempted to track down the suspects in the area but were unsuccessful due to limited visibility and dark conditions.

“Initial investigations found that all the migrants had entered the country by boat via a river route from Thailand.

“All the migrants and seized vehicles have been taken to the district police headquarters for further investigation, and the case is being investigated under Sections 55E and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63,” he said.

-- BERNAMA