Immigration Officers Smash Raid Record
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - Not content with 105 operations to catch immigration offenders last year, the Immigration Law Enforcement Section has smashed this record by conducting 121 raids to date this year.

The 121st Ops Berkas took place on Sunday night targeting more than eight areas. During the 121 operations so far this year, a total of 605 areas were inspected nationwide.

In the latest operation, 22 personnel divided into four groups and led by the Assistant Director of Immigration and the Senior Chief Immigration Officer combed through several rented houses and workers quarters in Kg Sg Kelugos, Kg Bunot and Kg Kiulap Gadong. They also inspected construction sites and stalls in Mukim Pengkalan Batu, Rimba, Kg Mata-Mata and Mukim Berakas.

A total of nine foreign nationals were apprehended and four special passes were issued.

Four Indonesians were caught peddling household necessities using a vehicle at a housing construction site in Kg Rimba Gadong. One of them, a 35-year-old man whose work pass states that he is a labourer was caught selling the items with his 36year-old Indonesian wife who admitted that their employers did not know about their "activities" and that the items were theirs. The other two suspects, aged 25 and 24, were caught peddling in the same area and they alleged that the items belonged to their employer. They were all issued a special pass and their items as well as vehicle were taken to the Immigration Office.

A 41-year-old Indonesian man who had no documents on him was detained at a workers' house at a fruit farm in Bukit Nenas Kg Sungai Kelugos Tutong. He is being detained at the BSB Police Station after investigation showed that he "ran away" from his employer on November 9, 2002 and a "chop" ordering him to leave the country expired on the same date.

A 25-year-old Filipina who had no documents on her was caught during an inspection at a rented room in Kg Kiulap. She tried in vain to hide from the officers. An investigation revealed that her immigration pass had expired for 257 days.

Two 41-year-old Filipinas who had no documents on them were also caught at a rented room in Kg Kiulap. Both tried to, flee the scene, however the officers managed to catch them.

An investigation found that one of them had an immigration pass which expired on March 22,' 2006 while the other suspect's immigration pass expired on May 19, 2005. . Meanwhile, a 33-year-old Filipina was also detained during an inspection at a rented room in Kg Kiulap. She tried unsuccessfully to hide behind a washing machine. Her visit pass expired on May 26, 2006.

Two Indonesians, a 28-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were caught during an inspection at a rented room in Kg Madewa. The Indonesian woman initially claimed that she was alone in the room and that her husband had gone out, however officers suspected otherwise. After a search, the officers found the Indonesian man hiding inside a closet wearing ladies undergarment.

They both claimed that they were married, however they failed to provide evidence to support their claim. They were both issued a special pass and their case was referred to the Religious Enforcement Section.

Meanwhile, in a joint operation with the Brunei Police District, enforcement officers caught two Chinese nationals in the capital whose immigration passes had expired. Detained at the BSB Police Station, the female suspects, aged 37 and 31, were holding visit passes that expired on December 15, 2006. They were issued a compound fine of $100, which they both paid.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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