KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 1,101 undocumented foreigners were detained in a massive operation at Jalan Silang and the areas around Kota Raya here.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said the joint operation, spearheaded by Bukit Aman's Internal Security and Public Order Department, started at 11am Thursday (Dec 21).
"A total of 60 premises were inspected.
"We detained 1,101 undocumented foreigners of various nationalities, including two children," he told a press conference at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) later.
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Comm Allaudeen said some people attempted to flee but were caught as the area had been cordoned off well.
"Overall, nothing untoward occurred.
"They were detained for various immigration offences," he said, adding that they will be handed over to the Immigration Department for further action.
Various contraband items worth a total of RM104,530, including 100 cartons of cigarettes, 80 cartons of alcoholic beverages and illegal medicines were seized during the operation, Comm Allaudeen said.
"The medicines were mostly from Bangladesh and Nepal, brought in without the approval of the Health Ministry.
"We will investigate further how they smuggled such items into the country," he said.
The massive joint operation involved 1,138 officers and personnel from various elements of the department including the General Operations Force (GOF) and Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), as well as other agencies including the Immigration and Customs Departments and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
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Comm Allaudeen described the operation as "mission accomplished".
"We are serious about conducting operations to curb the presence of illegal immigrants in the country.
"We will continue to conduct such operations in the future targeting (other) hotbeds.
"We salute the public for supplying information and we hope they will continue to do so," he added.
He also said the matter of premises owners renting to or employing undocumented foreigners will be referred to DBKL.
"We will also check if any of (those detained) are involved in prostitution," he said.
Internal Security and Public Order deputy director Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Suzrin Mohd Rodhi and other senior police officers were also present during the operation and press conference.