Human traffickers using drones, social media to avoid detection, says GOF

Human trafficking syndicates are using drones to detect the movements of security forces, General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander Ahmad Radzi Hussain said today.

Radzi said the syndicates also used social media to avoid detection and regularly changed their routes, timing and methods, requiring the GOF to adjust its strategies.

“The modus operandi of these syndicates change according to the level of border control.

“In addition to using Sungai Golok, they have shifted to sea routes, small rivers and Sungai Kelantan to avoid detection,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

Radzi said undocumented migrants were taken to transit locations after entering Malaysia before being transported to their destinations by private vehicles, e-hailing services or via public transport.

He said GOF’s key challenges included the length of the border along Sungai Golok and the vast, complex terrain, including forests and plantations, which made it difficult to detect smugglers and illegal immigrants.

Radzi also said the safety of GOF personnel required attention to counter the possibility of armed traffickers.