LUNDU: Three locals’ bid to smuggle in 18 illegals to Malaysia was foiled by the army in the Kandaie Sector on Sunday (May 23).
A spokesman from the First Infantry Division said the incident happened at 5.20 pm about 2km from the Indonesia-Malaysia border.
“An ambush team spotted a motorcycle and a lorry travelling suspiciously at the area before detaining them for inspection.
“Investigations found that three tekong (agents) — two men and a woman — were transporting 18 Indonesians, aged between 19 and 49, into the state illegally,” the spokesman said.
It was found that one of the tekong was on a look-out on a motorcycle to scout and ensure the rat trail (jalan tikus) was safe, before the other two drove in the one-tonne lorry carrying the undocumented immigrants.
Further investigation on the Indonesians found that they do not have any valid travel documents and wanted to look for work in Malaysia.
All of them have been detained and handed over to Lundu police station for further action.
