Two Thai drivers arrested after attempt to smuggle six illegal migrants into Malaysia fails
KANGAR, Feb 24 — Authorities have foiled an attempt by two Thai nationals to bring six undocumented migrants into Malaysia after intercepting their vehicle at the Padang Besar Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex earlier this month.
Perlis Customs director Ismail Hashim said the operation was conducted by enforcement officers from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department on February 6 at about 8.20pm after they identified a suspicious vehicle entering the checkpoint.
He said officers stopped a Honda Odyssey with Thai registration plates and carried out a detailed inspection.
The vehicle was driven by a 35-year-old Thai man, accompanied by another Thai national aged 28.
Further checks uncovered six additional passengers inside the vehicle.
“They consisted of three Chinese nationals and three Indonesian nationals,” he said at a press conference in Kuala Perlis.
He said the Chinese nationals did not possess valid travel documents, indicating they were attempting to enter Malaysia illegally.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian nationals had passports but lacked official entry records.
Authorities believe they had bypassed proper immigration procedures.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two Thai suspects were working as drivers and are believed to have been involved in smuggling the migrants.
He said the suspects attempted to disguise the migrants as regular passengers to avoid detection.
Investigators believe the migrants had been in a neighbouring country before attempting to cross into Malaysia.
All individuals involved have been detained for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
If convicted, those involved face serious legal consequences.
-wilayah.com.my
