SANDAKAN: Fourteen people were arrested during an integrated operation coordinated by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) on Feb 5 involving illegal immigration, drug abuse and various enforcement offences.
Of the total, 13 men and women were handed over to the Immigration Department for suspected offences under Sections 15(1)(c) and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Meanwhile, a man was detained by police after testing positive for methamphetamine and is being investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Esscom Commander Datuk Victor Sanjos said the operation was conducted in collaboration with the police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, as well as various federal, state and local authority departments and agencies.
The operation covered Bandar Sandakan and identified squatter colonies, suburban settlements and villages, including infiltration routes near land borders and the coastal waters of the district.
In addition to curbing illegal immigrant infiltration and the smuggling of controlled, subsidised and untaxed goods, Sabah Electricity disconnected illegal power connections involving estimated losses of RM310,000 under Section 61(3) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024.
The Sandakan District Water Department also took enforcement action against illegal pipe connections, with estimated losses of RM27,215 under Section 49(b) of the Sabah Water Supply Enactment 2003.
In related developments, police issued 137 summonses for various traffic offences.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living seized controlled and subsidised goods valued at RM5,316.46 and issued five compound fines totalling RM1,200 under the Supply Control Act 1961.
The Sandakan Municipal Council also confiscated unlicensed hawker equipment worth RM500 and untaxed cigarettes estimated at RM5,898 around the market area.
Victor said the operation aimed to ensure public security and order in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESS Zone), while curbing smuggling, misappropriation of controlled goods, illegal immigrant entry and other offences that could affect public safety.
“This operation is part of the Madani Government’s ongoing efforts through Ops Sanggah Esscom to strengthen existing operations under the police, Malaysian Armed Forces and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, while assisting other enforcement agencies in the ESS Zone, in line with Esscom’s principle of ‘No Day Without Operations’.
“Esscom will continue to intensify integrated operations throughout all districts in the ESS Zone and urges the public to share information on security incidents with the Esscom Operations Centre at 089-863181 or via WhatsApp at 011-63311072,” he said.
