Cops stop bid to smuggle in six undocumented migrants

SIBU: Police have foiled a local man’s attempt to smuggle six undocumented migrants into the country.

The man’s car was stopped at KM2 Jalan Entugam in Lubok Antu on Tuesday (June 7), said Lubok Antu OCPD Deputy Supt Victor Ripon.

“Just past 6am on Tuesday, a police team together with two Rela members detained and inspected the car, which was travelling from Batu Kaya to Lubok Antu, at an Ops Benteng roadblock,” he told the press on Wednesday (June 8).

“A woman was sitting in the front passenger seat while five men were in the back, all of them foreign nationals,” he added.

According to DSP Victor, the passengers failed to produce valid travel or identification documents.

The six are aged 16 to 24 and are believed to have snuck into the country through ratlines.

The case is being investigated under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.

The section provides for imprisonment not exceeding five years, a fine of up to RM250,000, or both upon conviction.