KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 15,754 illegal immigrants, 1,148 boat skippers and 781 smugglers were arrested under Op Benteng since it was launched in May last year, defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein said today.
He added that as of Sept 7, 2,232 of the illegal immigrants detained have been deported in integrated operations involving 19 agencies, including the armed forces, police, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
“I was informed that 2,381 land vehicles and 540 ships/boats were also seized,” Hishammuddin said in a post on his official Facebook page today.
In line with the main objective of Op Benteng, he said, the armed forces will continue to work closely with the 19 agencies to tighten security at the country’s border to prevent infiltration by illegal immigrants, as well as to contain the spread of Covid-19.
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