Bandar Seri Begawan - An operation codenamed 'Ops Sergah JIPK 04/2013', which was jointly carried out by several government enforcement agencies last Tuesday night netted several foreigners who were caught red-handed for various offences including Immigration as well as Customs and Excise felonies.

During a raid conducted at houses and rented rooms at three different locations in Mukim Kianggeh and Mukim Kota Batu, 13 foreigners were apprehended by officers from the Law Enforcement Unit of the Immigration and National Registration Department ( JIPK) and were brought to the BSB Central Police Station for questioning after failing to produce travelling documents with valid Immigration passes. Several people attempted to escape and evade officers but were prevented from doing so.

Eight special passes were issued to some of those detained while their passports and identification cards were held onto pending further investigations.

Meanwhile, the Religious Enforcement Unit (BPA) found two foreign couples who failed to provide evidence of marriage in two different rented rooms at separate locations in Mukim Kianggeh and Mukim Sumbiling.

The Prevention Unit of the Customs and Excise Department ( JKED) also recorded four cases involving foreigners during the raid. Several individuals were found to have in their possession cigarette packs not bearing the Ministry of Health warning and alcoholic beverages including home-made alcohol.

The operation, involving 83 officers including those from the Internal Security Department and Royal Brunei Police Force, was aimed at uniting the country's enforcement agencies by sharing information to enforce its respective law and regulations through joint raids.

JIPK said efforts to increase enforcement in the country will be continuously made, and they will continue to monitor and enforce laws and regulation either through the respective enforcement agencies or in collabora-. tion with other agencies. The public can report any suspected immigration-related activities by calling the JIPK hotline at 8753888 or 8734888. All tip-offs and informant details are kept confidential.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin