A GENERAL Operations Force (GOF) corporal and his two friends were charged at the Sessions Court in Pasir Mas today with smuggling in five migrants from Thailand into the country.

Muhd Nor Hafifi Md Khanapiah, 33, along with Mohd Azhar Mohamad, 28, and Muhammad Rahmat Muhammad, 33, only nodded in understanding when the charge was read out before judge Badrul Munir Mohd Hamdy.

No plea was recorded as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The three are alleged to have committed the offence at a police roadblock at Ladang Pepuyu, Tanah Merah, at 10pm on October 6.

The charge, framed under section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, provides for imprisonment of up to 15 years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The court denied them bail and set December 9 for remention. – Bernama, November 2, 2021.