KOTA BARU: More than 600 rat routes used by smuggling syndicates to bring in illegal items and immigrants into the country have been identified.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) director Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Jaafar said the rat routes are situated along the country's border and used by smugglers for many years.
"Smuggling activities in the country is not a new issue. Currently, we have identified 678 rat routes but the number might increase or reduce from time to time as smugglers find new routes to avoid the authorities.
"Though various efforts have been made by the relevant authorities to curb this illegal activity, smuggling is still active and rampantly being carried out," he told New Straits Times.
Abdul Rahim said smuggling activities along the rat routes have been going on using few methods and this includes the use of runners to monitor the movement of border enforcement agencies.
"Majority of the runners are locals living along the border and they have been in cahoots with smugglers for long time.
"The other method or modus operandi normally used by the syndicates is to conduct smuggling activities at night or early in the morning," he said.
He added that smuggling activities still occur in the country due to the continuous demands from the local community for smuggled items such as contraband, cigarettes, cosmetic products, rice and alcoholic drinks.
He said Malaysian controlled items such as diesel, petrol, and cooking oil were among the favourite goods sent across the border.
"The smuggling trend will change from time to time especially when the price of daily items increases or drops.
"During this time, demand for smuggled items such as cigarettes, drug, contraband and also exotic animals will also increase.
"Smugglers will grab this opportunity to bring in illegal items as much as they can or in large quantities to make more profit," he added.
Despite all the challenges, he said the border enforcement agencies like the General Operations Force (GOF) would continue to beef up operations.
"The border enforcement teams will work closely with other relevant agencies to put a stop to any kind of smuggling activities from taking place."