Latest news with #NikRosAzhanNikAbdHamid
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Six nabbed at illegal jetty for attempting to cross border
RANTAU PANJANG: Six people were arrested during a routine patrol under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan after attempting to cross the border illegally via the Gergaji illegal jetty here last night. The group, detained by the General Operations Force (GOF), comprised four foreigners and two locals. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said the suspects were nabbed around 7pm upon their arrival at the Golok riverbank. "Personnel from the Ninth Battalion GOF spotted two local men, one Thai man and three Thai women at the Gergaji illegal jetty. "Checks revealed that five of the suspects did not possess valid travel documents to enter or exit Malaysia, while one Thai woman had no form of identification," he said. Datuk Nik Ros said five of the suspects were detained under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. "The woman arrested without identification, is held under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act," he added. All six have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Pasir Mas district police headquarters for further action. The latest arrests bring the total number of people detained for crossing into Malaysia via illegal routes along the Kelantan-Thai border during a two-week period beginning from the recent Aidiladha celebration, to 43.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes 6 tonnes of coconuts, 8.5 tonnes of rice in border ops
TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) foiled two separate smuggling attempts involving coconuts and rice worth nearly RM370,000 in operations here yesterday. Two lorry drivers were also arrested for possession of the smuggled goods. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said in the first incident, a patrol team spotted a suspicious lorry at an illegal jetty in Pengkalan Kubor around 4.30pm. "Upon inspection, they found about 6,000kg of mature coconuts loaded in the back of the vehicle. "The driver failed to produce valid documentation for the goods. "The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM210,000," he said. The case is being investigated under Section 3(1)(a) of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority Act 1965 (FAMA Act). In a separate operation at 12.30am, another GOF team stopped a lorry at Jalan Kampung Bendang Pak Yong in Simpangan. "The vehicle was found to be carrying 8,500kg of white rice suspected to have been smuggled in from Thailand. "The 23-year-old driver is believed to have been delivering the rice for sale in the local market," he said. The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM159,000. The case is being investigated under Section 20 of the Control of the Padi and Rice Act 1994. Ros Azhan said both cases reflect the persistent smuggling activities along the Malaysia–Thailand border, particularly through ungazetted routes. "The GOF remains committed to intensifying operations such as Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan to curb the flow of contraband and safeguard the country's economic and agricultural interests," he said. He added that enforcement teams would continue to monitor hotspots along the border.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Cannabis smuggled in sarong boxes seized
PASIR MAS: An attempt by a drug smuggler to evade authorities by concealing 22.5kg of cannabis in boxes typically used to pack sarongs was foiled by the General Operations Force (GOF) in an early morning operation today. Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid confirmed the case, saying the drugs, worth an estimated RM810,000, were discovered during a routine patrol by a team from the GOF's Ninth Battalion. However, no arrests were made in the 6.20am operation, which took place in Rantau Panjang. He said GOF personnel were conducting their regular rounds when they spotted a black Proton Wira Aeroback driven by a man acting suspiciously and heading towards Customs Gate 2. "When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver sped off but later pulled over at the roadside near the Banggol Kulim traffic light in Rantau Panjang. "The driver then abandoned the car and fled the scene on foot," he said. Upon inspecting the vehicle, he said GOF personnel found 22.5kg of cannabis concealed in the rear passenger seat. "The drugs were packed in 45 small boxes commonly used for sarongs." He said the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction. It is learnt that the cannabis, smuggled from a neighbouring country, is priced at about RM36,000 on the Malaysian market.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
GOF commander vows stern action over border misconduct
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) takes any misconduct or abuse of power by its personnel stationed under Op Taring Wawasan along the Kelantan–Thailand border very seriously. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said he was committed to ensuring that no GOF personnel deployed at the border were involved in any immoral or illegal activities. "I will not hesitate to take firm action against any personnel found to be involved, including those suspected of colluding with smugglers," he said. Nik Ros Azhan also called on residents living along the border to assist the authorities by providing information if they witnessed any GOF officers or personnel engaging in misconduct such as corruption or smuggling. "Public cooperation is vital in upholding the integrity of our enforcement operations," he added. Meanwhile, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said that the police had received information regarding alleged misconduct involving border enforcement officers. "I can confirm that I have received reports of possible misconduct involving enforcement personnel linked to smuggling activities, including the smuggling of livestock," he said. He added that the matter was currently under investigation and that a special task force has been established to probe any potential wrongdoing or irregularities related to the case.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- New Straits Times
4 arrested for illegal entry at Malaysia–Thailand border
Previous Next RANTAU PANJANG: Four individuals, including three foreigners, were arrested by the General Operations Force (GOF) for entering Malaysia via an illegal route here yesterday. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said they were arrested at the Tok Awang Belulang illegal jetty at about 3.15pm. He said the four, comprising two men and two women, were detained by GOF personnel from the 18th Battalion during a routine patrol under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan. "The boat operator fled upon realising the presence of police, abandoning the passengers at the riverbank. "The group comprised a local man and three foreigners," he said. Ros Azhan said an initial investigation showed that the 30-year-old Malaysian man is believed to have acted as a facilitator for the other three individuals, all of whom are Thai nationals. "The foreigners were found to have entered the country through an illegal route without proper documents," he said. The local suspect was detained under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while the Thai nationals were held under Section 6(1) of the same Act. He said all four were taken to the Pasir Mas district police station for further action. "Two of the male suspects also tested positive for methamphetamine," he said. Nik Ros Azhan said enforcement efforts at the border have been intensified since Dec 1 last year, following a police-enforced ban on border crossings in a bid to curb smuggling, human trafficking, and drug-related activities along the Malaysia-Thailand border. "The GOF remains committed to cracking down on cross-border crimes and will continue to strengthen its presence to safeguard national security," he said.
