Pontian: Nine Indonesians, comprising a transporter, two tekong laut (sea coordinators), and six migrants, were arrested during Ops Pintas Bersepadu at the Sungai Boh area in Serkat, near Pontian, today. Pontian district police chief Supt Hadzrat Hussien Mion Hussain said the 2 am operation was conducted following intelligence indicating the smuggling of migrants into and out of the country via ungazetted routes.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, those detained, aged between 24 and 51, included a woman and a one-year-old girl. A Proton Wira, a fibre boat with an engine, eight mobile phones of various brands, and a packet of crystalline substance suspected to be syabu (methamphetamine), weighing 21.41 grammes, were seized during the operation.

The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM60,000. Hadzrat added that urine tests conducted on three of the men, the transporter and the two tokong laut, returned positive for methamphetamine.

The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007; Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63; Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952; and Section 15(1)(a) of the DDA 1952.