Army thwarts separate attempts to smuggle alcohol, people across border

The 10th Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment thwarted an attempt to smuggle 120 cartons of alcohol and arrested two men.

KUCHING, Aug 12: The First Infantry Division here thwarted an attempt to smuggle 120 cartons of alcohol worth about RM23,600 out of Sarawak early this morning.

Two men, comprising a van driver and another man on motorcycle, were also arrested.

According to a media statement, a team of seven soldiers led by Cpl Henry Jamit from the 10th Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment were patrolling Serikin near the Sarawak-Indonesia border when they heard sounds of vehicles entering one of the many ‘jalan tikus’ (illegal trails) heading towards Indonesia at 5am.

They detained a van and a motorcycle and upon inspection, the soldiers found various brands of alcohol believed to be headed to Indonesia.

The 120 cartons of alcohol, mobile phones, motorcycle and van were seized and brought to Bau police station for further action.

Meanwhile, four hours later, at 9am, another team also from the 10th Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment led by Sgt Steve Saba caught four men, five women and two children with no valid travel documents at Tetangga Akrab oil palm plantation, located some 4km away from the Malaysia-Indonesia border.

The 10th Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment arrested 11 illegal immigrants and three Sarawakians attempting to enter Indonesia through ‘jalan tikus’.

The soldiers were patrolling the area under Ops Awas when they came upon the 11 illegal immigrants riding three motorcycles and attempting to return to Indonesia through ‘jalan tikus’ as well.

Three Sarawakians were also detained on the spot for attempting to smuggle the Indonesians out of Sarawak.

The three motorcycles and mobile phones worth about RM12,500 were also seized and handed over to Serian police station for further investigation. — DayakDaily