Army nabs five illegal immigrants in forest near Kota Tinggi

KOTA TINGGI: The Armed Forces has arrested five illegal immigrants from Indonesia during Ops Benteng at around 10.30am on Wednesday (Jan 19).

The suspects were detained at the forest near the beach of Kampung Sungai Musuh area within the jurisdiction of the Seventy Infantry Brigade near here.

“Our patrol team detected suspicious human movement in the forest at around 9.30am,” it said in a statement.

The five suspects – all men from 19 to 43 – were apprehended at around 10.30am.

The illegal immigrants were brought to Sungai Rengit Health Clinic in Pengerang near here where they tested negative for Covid-19.

The team also seized RM2,307.45 in cash, five mobile phones and a watch.

A police report was lodged at the Bayu Damai police station in Pengerang and the suspects will be handed over to the Immigration Department in Johor Baru.

The Quick Reaction Force Team, the Armed Forces Drone Team and the Malaysian Royal Navy were mobilised to track remaining illegal immigrants possibly hiding in nearby areas.