KOTA KINABALU: Security forces seized five pump boats in a latest crackdown against entry of illegal immigrants and potential cross-border crimes in Sabah’s east coast Tawau district.
A total of 96 officers and personnel from a host of state and federal agencies scoured the seas from Mile 3 to Mile 5 off the district under the operation dubbed “Ops Gasak” on Tuesday (July 11).
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) Commander Deputy Comm Victor Sanjos said the exercise was held to, among others, curb people from misusing pump boats to commit crimes such as kidnapping, sea robbery, smuggling and fish bombing in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
As a result, he said, they inspected 13 pump boats and screened 26 individuals in the process.
“From the inspection, five pump boats were seized and handed over to the Sabah Ports and Harbour Department,” he said in a statement here on Tuesday.
“Four undocumented persons were also detained and handed over to the Immigration Department,” he added.
DCP Sanjos said the security forces were serious in curbing the abuse of pump boats to commit cross-border crimes.
“We are committed to holding Ops Gasak which aims at carrying out large-scale operations to seize unlicensed pump boats.
“This operation is able to thwart such crimes, especially smuggling and movement of illegal immigrants,” he said.
Towards this end, he expressed appreciation to all the departments and agencies involved.
DCP Sanjos advised owners of pump boats to obtain the necessary licences to avoid action by the authorities.
He also urged the people residing in the Esszone to continue cooperating with Esscom by reporting suspicious activities involving pump boats or other crimes to its operations centre at 089-863181 or WhatsApp to the number 011-6331 1072.
