KANGAR: Smuggling activities along the Malaysia-Thailand border have been keeping the authorities busy in the run-up to Hari Raya Aidilfitri each year.
Drugs, rice, fireworks and even motorcycles are among the most commonly trafficked items.
This year is no different, with the police intensifying border patrols and enforcement operations to curb the illicit trade and be on top of smugglers.
Perlis police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim (pic) said cross-border crime has gone down between January and March this year.
“For the first three months, police arrested 21 people, including two women, for smuggling offences and seized contraband items worth about RM1.5mil.
“This was due to the cooperation between Malaysia and Thai police in preventing smuggling and cross-border criminal activities,” he said.
DCP Muhammad said criminal activities continue even during Ramadan, including human trafficking, immigration violations, smuggling of drugs and fireworks, as well as other cross-border crimes.
He said that since its inception in 2023, Ops Taring Wawasan has deployed a total of eight officers and 237 personnel in Perlis and Kedah to monitor border security.
DCP Muhammad said border security in Perlis was further intensified following a series of attacks in southern Thailand.
He said that roadblocks in the state have been reinforced with support from other agencies, including joint patrols with the marine police at sea.
He also said “lorong tikus” (rat lanes) remain under close watch, with operations conducted periodically.
Efforts to combat cross-border crimes have also been intensified with the involvement of the newly-formed Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) in tackling smuggling activities at the border.
Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS commander Senior Asst Comm Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said various measures had been taken to ensure the country’s borders remain secure, especially during festive seasons.
“During Ramadan, our main focus in Bukit Kayu Hitam included preventing the smuggling of fireworks, cattle, controlled goods, human trafficking and drugs,” he said.
SAC Mohd Nasaruddin said AKPS anticipates a rise in cross-border crimes with Hari Raya approaching.
To counter this, surveillance will be strengthened in partnership with the police, the Immigration Department and the Customs Department.
