BAU: The First Infantry Division successfully thwarted a bid to smuggle out controlled goods and plywood through illegal trails (jalan tikus) at the Sarawak-Kalimantan border on Sunday (June 28).
According to a statement issued, a team from the 4th Regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps spotted the smuggling activity during a safety patrol at 11am in the Empaling plantation field, Kampung Strass about 50 metres from the border.
“The team led by Major Ahmad Fazrin Mohd Jelas heard sounds of machinery at work when they were patrolling.
“Observations found a four-wheel drive vehicle; four trucks; and 10 individuals suspected to be illegal foreigners unloading grocery items such as eggs, vegetables and fertilisers at the illegal trail. During the activity, a Hitachi-type excavator was spotted making a passage at the trail.
“The raid was immediately carried out and resulted in all the foreigners fleeing back to the Indonesian border. All goods and vehicles were detained and seized,” the statement mentioned.
The seizure was estimated to be worth RM490,986 — four lorries, a four-wheel drive, an excavator, controlled goods such as eggs, vegetables, fertilisers and plywood.
It was reported that a local resident who is also the landlord, believed to have conspired as the tekong darat by allowing cross-border criminal activities to be carried out, was taken to the Bau police station for further investigation.
