Photo: Bernama
KOTA BARU: Malaysia-Thailand cross-border criminal activities are under control since the ban on illegal crossings came into effect on Dec 1 last year, say police.Kelantan police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat (pic) said efforts to boost control at the Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan have had a positive impact.
“Cross-border criminal activities have been successfully reduced and police have arrested seven individuals for illegal crossings,” he told reporters after the Kelantan police contingent monthly assembly here yesterday, Bernama reported.
“We have charged all the suspects and they have been sentenced under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 (Act 155).”
He said Thai authorities welcomed the efforts of Malaysian authorities in this matter.
“I have been informed that they (Thai authorities) will do the same as Malaysia by arresting any individual using illegal crossings.
“As is known, the Pasir Mas district is one of the areas chosen by smugglers and individuals using illegal routes compared with Tumpat and Jeli,” he said.
He said in Pasir Mas alone, more than 20 illegal crossings have been identified by the police, and the General Operations Force (GOF) regularly conducts patrols at these border areas.
Comm Mohd Yusoff also said the police have stationed a battalion of the Senoi Praaq from Pengkalan Hulu, Perak, for operations at the Malaysia-Thailand border.
According to him, the Senoi Praaq took over from the existing force on Jan 1 and are now stationed at 17 GOF posts.
“The deployment of the Senoi Praaq at the country’s border will further enhance security control at the Kelantan border,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said police have identified the drug smuggling mastermind following the arrest of a Malaysian suspect in Pekan Sungai Golok, southern Thailand, on Dec 30.
He said the mastermind is currently under the police radar, adding that the 24-year-old male suspect arrested by Thai police is believed to have played a key role in the syndicate’s operations.
“The suspect has a close relationship with a woman from Laos, who is believed to be his accomplice. They are believed to be involved in smuggling drugs supplied from Thailand,” he said.
Comm Mohd Yusoff said police are trying to identify the other distribution networks involved.
He said Malaysian and Thailand police would work closely to monitor and bust such syndicates.
On Sunday, Sungai Golok district police chief Col Pol Jadsadavit Ingprapan confirmed the arrest of a Malaysian on suspicion of smuggling drugs valued at RM120,000 in a raid on a premises in Sungai Golok on Dec 30.
He said police seized 1,943 ecstasy pills, 1,510 Erimin 5 pills, as well as other types of drugs.
