Escape bid goes down the drain, two foreigners picked up

KUCHING: Drains proved to be a poor hideout for two foreign nationals who allegedly tried to escape immigration enforcement officers during recent operations earlier this week.

The man and woman reportedly made a run for it before ducking into a drain, but their hiding spot did little to throw officers off their trail.

Both of them were among 43 people detained during ‘Ops Selera’ and ‘Ops Kutip’, carried out at seven locations around Westfield Points, Jalan Tun Hussein Onn, Batu 10 and Kota Sentosa on Sept 21.

The foreigners being rounded up and escorted into an immigration truck for further actions.

The Sarawak Immigration Department said the operations, conducted from 10am to midnight, targeted restaurants and business premises suspected of being involved in online gambling activities.

Several other individuals also attempted to flee during the raids but were swiftly apprehended by enforcement officers.

A total of 48 people were checked, of whom 43 were detained for further investigation. One witness summons was also issued to facilitate investigations.

The foreigners being rounded up and escorted into an immigration truck for further actions.

Those detained are suspected of committing offences under Sections 15(1)(c) and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, involving overstaying and entering or remaining in Malaysia without a valid pass or permit.

The department said the operations were conducted following public complaints and intelligence gathered by the Kuching Immigration Enforcement Division.

Intelligence-led enforcement operations will be intensified to ensure compliance with immigration laws.