The State National Registration Department (NRD) detained seven Filipinos for possession of false identification documents under the four-hour 'Ops Semak Kad Pengenalan (Ops ID)' which started at 12 midnight today.

Director Norazle Sulaiman said the four women and three men, aged 25 to 45, were detained in four different locations around Kampung Gelam and Tangga Batu, Malacca.

Out of those detained, three were held for possession of fake MyKads, while three had false temporary identification documents and one a copy of the fake MyKad.

"Several MyKads were found in one of the raided premises in Tangga Batu leading us to believe maybe a syndicate was involved. We will also investigate if they were involved in snatch thefts as many handbags were also found," Norazle told reporters today.

Meanwhile, in ALOR SETAR, four Thais who tried to leave for Thailand were detained for not having valid travel documents during inspection en route the Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex, Bukit Kayu Hitam, yesterday.

Kedah Immigration director Mohamad Yusri Hashim said the two men and two Thai women, aged 22 to 24, were arrested at 4 pm during inspection at the passenger exit route to Thailand.

Further investigation found that they worked as rubber tappers in Malaysia.

Their Thailand border pass had been cancelled and they had entered Malaysia via the Padang Besar ICQS, Perlis, on Jan 28.

- Bernama