Malaysian, Indonesian troops foil smuggling attempt at oil palm area near border

KUCHING (Oct 20): The Malaysian Army, through the First Infantry Division, thwarted a smuggling attempt near the PJP Pelita Kandaie oil palm plantation, about 50m from the Malaysia-Indonesia border, during their ‘Op Awas/Keris Parang’ on Saturday.

It was reported that the estimated total value of the confiscated items amounted to RM251,360, which included cash, three vehicles, cigarettes, charcoal, mobile phones, and luggage.

“The Malaysian troops and their counterparts from the Land Division of the National Armed Forces of Indonesia (TNI-AD) were conducting a close-range patrol around plantation area, when at 5.15pm, they spotted three SUVs (sports utility vehicles) transporting covered cargo via an illegal route.

“The troops acted promptly, stopping the vehicles to inspect the goods and also to verify any documentation.

“It was later found that one of the SUVs had on board 72 cartons of cigarettes of various brands, and 44 boxes of charcoal,” said the division in a statement issued yesterday, adding that the other two SUVs carried no goods.

In the operation, four illegal immigrants aged between 28 and 56 were apprehended.

“No dangerous items were found, and a police report had been filed at the Lundu station for further action,” said the First Infantry Division statement.