Police have detained a Thai national for allegedly attempting to smuggle nine Myanmar nationals into Malaysia during an operation along the East-West Highway here.
The arrest was carried out by personnel from the Jeli District Police Headquarters’ Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) unit at the Jalan Raya Timur-Barat (JRTB) Base Camp, heading towards Batu Melintang. The group, aged between 15 and 40, was travelling in a Perodua Aruz when officers flagged the vehicle for inspection after noticing suspicious behaviour.
Jeli District Police Chief, Superintendent Kamarulzaman Harun, said the driver, a Thai man with valid identification documents, was found transporting nine foreign nationals during the roadside check. Preliminary investigations revealed that all nine Myanmar nationals did not possess valid travel or identification documents to enter Malaysia legally.
Authorities immediately detained all individuals and seized the vehicle for further investigation. Initial urine screening tests conducted on the driver returned positive for drugs, adding another layer of seriousness to the case.
Police are investigating the matter under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) and Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The case underscores ongoing enforcement efforts along the East-West Highway, a known transit route, as authorities continue to clamp down on cross-border smuggling activities.
