KOTA KINABALU: A sweeping operation aimed at preventing elements of cross-border crime involving undocumented migrants saw more than 1,000 people screened in Sabah’s East coast Lahad Datu district.
The operation, held from Dec 1 to Tuesday (Dec 6), involved a number of government agencies led by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).
Esscom commander Deputy Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said a total of 1,331 physical inspections were carried out while 205 vehicles and 486 houses were also checked in the operation.
“From the checks, 19 undocumented migrants were detained under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 to be deported later,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 7).
“A total of 26 traffic summonses from the police and five from the Road Transport Department were also issued for various traffic offences under the Road Transport Act 1987,” he added.
DCP Hamzah said enforcement officers also seized contraband cigarettes amounting to over RM2,000.
“Besides that, 14 compound notices were issued by the District Council for offences such as the lack of trading licences and illegal power connections at Kampung Panji,” he said, adding that the operation involved 80 personnel from some 15 agencies.
In thanking the agencies involved, he said Esscom would step up such operations to thwart any element that could threaten peace and public order, particularly in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
He urged the community to channel any information on security matters to the Esscom operations centre at 089-863 181 or through WhatsApp at 011-63311072.
