Nine hurt, including suspected migrant smuggler, after GOF car chase ends in crash near Jeli

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Nine men were injured, three of them seriously, after a car believed to be transporting undocumented migrants crashed near Kampung Sungai Rual in Jeli, Kelantan, this morning.

Among those seriously hurt was a 21-year-old Malaysian man suspected of acting as a migrant smuggler, Berita Harian reported.

The incident happened at Jalan Bukit Cermin at about 7.30am.

Southeast Brigade General Operations Force commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the remaining victims suffered minor injuries and were treated at Jeli Hospital.

He said a General Operations Force (GOF) team from the Seventh Battalion had spotted a suspicious Proton Saga on the East-West Highway.

“The vehicle was believed to be carrying undocumented migrants and, upon realising it was being followed by authorities, the driver sped off to evade arrest,” he reportedly said to the national daily.

The GOF team pursued the vehicle before it lost control near Kampung Sungai Rual and plunged into a roadside embankment.

Police later arrested the Malaysian driver and eight Bangladeshi men aged between 20 and 40.

Authorities also seized 10 yaba pills believed to contain methamphetamine from the vehicle.

“All those detained were taken to Hospital Jeli for treatment, while some were later brought to the Jeli district police headquarters for further action,” Ahmad Radzi said.

The case is being investigated for offences linked to migrant smuggling and drug possession.

المصدر: Malay Mail