KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has commended members of the General Operations Force in Kelantan for rejecting a RM50,000 bribe from a human trafficking agent.
Razarudin also warned the public to refrain from such acts or face stern action.
"The 24-year-old suspect was caught during a follow up operation during Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan.
"The operation was carried out by the Southeast Brigade and Batalion 9 General Operations Force on Saturday.
"At around 6.30am on that day, our personnel detected three vehicles, comprising of a Honda Civic, Perodua Myvi and Perodua Ativa car by the bushes along Jalan Sri Cemerlang," he told the New Straits Times.
He said all three vehicles were inspected and police detained three local men aged between 27 and 32 believed to be "tekong" as well 16 Myanmar nationals.
"The Myanmar nationals comprised of 11 men, four women and a child.
"Interrogations of one of the local men led to the arrest of the syndicate agent near the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport," he said.
Razarudin said when the agent was taken to the police station, he pleaded to be released along with the other locals arrested.
"The suspect then tried to hand over RM50,000 cash to the operations commander but was warned to stop
"The suspect attempted to do so again and was arrested for attempted bribery," he said adding that they also seized a mobile phone and RM50,000 cash.
He said those arrested were taken to the Kota Baru police headquarters for further investigation under Section 26J of the Anti Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom).
"Let this be a warning to the public that they will face stern action if they attempt to bribe any of our personnel," he said.