Police detained four foreign nationals, including three men and one woman, during a coordinated enforcement operation under Op Pintas/Lejang conducted at Engkilili, while also issuing 19 traffic summonses during the same operation.
Lawas District Police Chief, Superintendent Prichar, said in a statement that the operation was carried out yesterday afternoon as part of ongoing efforts to curb crime and strengthen enforcement in hotspot areas.
During the roadblock, officers noticed a suspicious vehicle that attempted to evade inspection by abruptly diverting into another route.
Police then moved in to intercept the vehicle for inspection and discovered that three individuals from a neighbouring country, consisting of two men and one woman, did not possess valid travel documents.
All three were immediately arrested at the scene.
Authorities also seized the vehicle involved, a car key and a mobile phone, believed to be linked to the case.
Investigators suspect that another individual involved may have acted as a transporter for undocumented migrants.
The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, as well as Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The operation was led by Inspector Lion Bagih together with 20 officers from various ranks, spanning approximately five hours.
Police said the enforcement exercise focused on crime prevention, drug-related offences, gambling activities and immoral behaviour, while also increasing police presence in identified high-risk areas.
Throughout the operation, officers inspected 115 vehicles and checked 125 individuals.
In addition to the arrests, police issued 19 traffic summonses for various offences.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to continue intensified operations to ensure public safety and maintain order in the Lawas and Engkilili areas.
