KOTA KINABALU: A group of undocumented migrants thought dawn might be the best time to slip into the country undetected.
They could not be more wrong when they were intercepted by the marine police in the Gelam-Gelam waters off Sabah’s east coast in Semporna district on Friday.
The group was believed to be travelling from the Philippines in two speedboats and was headed to the mainland when they were stopped by the police, who were patrolling the area under the exercise Ops Taring Gelora Khas at 6.30am.
A source said a subsequent inspection found no valid travel papers on the group members aged between six and 60.
They were then roped in, and their boats seized, according to the source.
Marine Police Region 4 commander Asst Comm Ahmad Ariffin confirmed the incident when contacted yesterday.
“The detainees and the boats have been brought to the Semporna marine police base for further action,” he said.
He added that the case was being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/1963.
