PASIR MAS: Two Thai nationals and two Malaysians were the first individuals arrested in a police crackdown on illegal border crossings along the Kelantan-Thailand border, which came into effect on Dec 1.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the four were apprehended by police in two separate locations while attempting to cross Sungai Golok via illegal jetties in Rantau Panjang on Dec 7.
Ayob said the Thai nationals arrested during the operation included a man and a woman, aged 40 and 43, respectively.
He added that the two Malaysians arrested were men, aged 33 and 50.
"The four were crossing Sungai Golok using two boats when they were arrested at two separate illegal jetties in Rantau Panjang at about 12.04am," he told reporters after visiting Flood Disaster Operations Control Post at Repek police station here today.
Ayob said more arrests would be made as the police intensify their efforts to dismantle illegal jetties operating along the border here.
"I know that some are not happy, but this has been happening for a long time, and now we will take firm action," he said.
Earlier, Ayob was briefed on the flood situation in the state by Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat.
It was reported that the Kelantan police will intensify their crackdown on anyone caught crossing the Kelantan-Thailand border illegally starting Dec 1.
Yusoff said all security agencies had been ordered to arrest people using illegal jetties.