Over 7,000 illegal immigrants nabbed since Ops Benteng started in May, says Ismail Sabri

PUTRAJAYA: Enforcement authorities have nabbed 7,712 illegal immigrants attempting to sneak into the country since Ops Benteng started in May, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said that 775 tekongs (skippers) and 316 human traffickers have also been arrested nationwide during the Ops Benteng exercise.

Authorities have also seized 809 boats and vessels, 730 land vehicles and 1,801 other items used to commit transborder crime.

Ops Benteng is an initiative involving multi-enforcement agencies to prevent illegal entry of foreigners to curb Covid-19 infections.

Ismail Sabri said that on Thursday (Oct 15), 37 illegal immigrants and three tekongs were arrested in the operation.

“Enforcement authorities will do more to stop illegal immigrants from entering the country. More surveillance will be done, especially on illegal routes to prevent attempts by them to sneak into the country, ” he said on Friday (Oct 16).