KOTA TINGGI: The Armed Forces arrested 45 illegal Indonesian immigrants during Ops Benteng on Sunday (Nov 28) and Monday (Nov 29).

       They were arrested in Teluk Punggai within the areas under the jurisdiction of the Seventh Infantry Brigade near here.

       The radar system had detected suspicious boat movements heading towards Teluk Punggai on Sunday at around 8pm.

       “The observer post had also detected the boat in the area, with people getting off and heading towards the beach at about 9.30pm,’’ it said in a statement.

       The 30 suspects were apprehended at around 11pm.

       “The teams from the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and the Armed Forces Drone section were mobilised to track the remaining illegal immigrants who might be hiding in the nearby areas.

       “Seven were arrested on Monday at about 8.40am and another eight around 11am,’’ it added.

       The suspects - 12 females and 33 males aged between 17 and 56 - were brought to Tanjung Sepang tactical headquarters for Covid-19 tests and tested negative.

       The team also seized RM32,851.19, 38 mobile phones and jewellery.

       A police report had been lodged at the Bayu Damai police station in Pengerang here, and the suspects would be handed over to the Immigration Department in Setia Tropika, Johor Baru.