RANTAU PANJANG: A majority of people who turn to smuggling in Kelantan are school dropouts and aged about 18, said Superintendent Azhari Nusi.
The General Operations Force (GOF) Seventh Battalion commanding officer said this was based on arrests made by the battalion since it took over Op Benteng at the Kelantan/Thai border three years ago.
He said the teenagers chose the illegal activity due to several factors, including poverty and difficulties in finding a job.
"Since 2019, we have made many arrests involving smugglers and a majority of them were teenagers aged around 18.
"During interrogation, they tell GOF members that they were involved in the illegal activity because it was an easy job and they could earn well.
"They are paid between RM20 and RM30 for each trip they make (in bringing in smuggled items) and the payment will increase if they manage to do more trips," he added.
Azhari said apart from teenagers, other smugglers identified were even the elderly, aged up to 65.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic, we believe the number of smugglers has increased as many people were jobless and could not earn enough to support their families," the commanding officer added.
Despite the increasing numbers, he said the battalion would continue operations to nab the culprits.
"Our 400 members manning the 41.8km stretch of Sungai Golok monitor their activities closely and take immediate action against any illegal cross-border activities.
"The members are stationed between the Ibrahim Pencen post in Rantau Panjang and the Tanjung post in Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, and currently conduct a special Covid-19 operation," Azhari added.
The Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan is known for various illegal activities such as the smuggling of rice and essential items from the neighbouring country.
There are more than 150 illegal jetties along the border with a majority of them located in Rantau Panjang.
It is learnt that more than 300 smugglers are active along the border areas covering Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Tanah Merah and Jeli, with most of them operating in the Pasir Mas district.
