Foreigners detained in raid

Uncooperative: Police were forced to use a bolt-cutter on to enter some of the apartments a the tenants had locked their grilles.

SIXTY foreigners were detained in a raid by the authorities at a condominium in Taman Wangsa Permai, Kepong recently,

In the operation conducted by Bukit Aman police along with the Immigration Department, Education Department and Religious Department, some foreigners believed to be illegals took to hiding in the ceiling, toilets and cupboards while some even refused to open their doors.

The team had to use bolt cutters to force open the doors of several units.

A total of 200 personnel were involved in the operation at 21 condo units.

Out of 60 foreigners detained, 52 were men. A total of 28 failed to produce their travel documents.

Those held were from Nigeria, South Africa, the Philippines, Thailand and Uganda.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department deputy director II Senior Asst Comm Datuk Rodwan Yusuf said the police were divided into 20 small groups, which raided the condominium units simultaneously.

“During the raid, we also seized 30 laptops and 68 handphones.

“Five of the detainees also tested positive for drugs,” he said.

He added that the police, along with the other departments, acted immediately after receiving a tip-off.

The condominium’s management said they conducted their own investigations on the foreigners occupying the units and relayed information to the police.

“Some of the local tenants were concerned about their safety due to the unruly behaviour of these illegals and reported their concerns to us.

“We could only do so much and decided to seek the help of the authorities,” a spokesperson said.