Security forces have detained 12 Myanmar nationals, including five women, in Kampung Tok Rusa, Meranti, after authorities uncovered a suspected illegal transit point in a forested area near the border.
The group, aged between 22 and 41, was arrested at about 2.30pm yesterday during an operation carried out by the 8th Battalion of the General Operations Force (PGA) under Op Taring Wawasan.
Briged Tenggara PGA commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the operation was launched following intelligence reports leading officers to the forested location.
Upon inspection, officers discovered 12 individuals behaving suspiciously within the area.
According to authorities, all suspects failed to produce valid identification documents during the inspection.
Initial findings suggest that the group had entered Malaysia through Sungai Golok before using the forest as a transit point to avoid detection by enforcement agencies.
The suspects were believed to be awaiting further arrangements to be transported to other destinations.
All detainees have been handed over to the Pasir Mas district police headquarters for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959 for illegal entry into Malaysia.
