PADANG BESAR: The General Operations Force (GOF) has foiled an attempt by 21 illegal Myanmar and Thai immigrants to sneak into this country via the Malaysia-Thailand border in Chuping yesterday.
District police chief assistant commissioner Mohd Shokri Abdullah said the 12.15am arrest was made by the GOF team patrolling along the border security lane.
"The 21 illegal immigrants comprise 17 men and four women aged between 19 and 49."They were detained after failing to produce legal travel documents," he said in a statement today.
Based on initial investigation, a syndicate transported the illegal immigrants in various land transportation, including van, lorry, car and motorcycle, he said.
"They had then gathered at a transit point before sneaking into this country by foot.
"Investigation also revealed that a 24-year-old man in the group had admitted that he was responsible for guiding them here for a fee of RM200 per head paid by an agent in Thailand," he said.
Shokri said the illegal immigrants were brought to the district police headquarters for further investigation under the Immigration Act.
"The man who acted as the guide is being remanded for 28 days under Section 4(5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma)."