The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) detained 38 undocumented foreigners in an operation, Ops Gasak 8, around Bakapit and Merabung, yesterday.

ESSCom Commander Datuk DCP Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the 38 were among 250 people screened in four villages between 2am and 10am.

The four villages were at Tebaa Batang, Takun, Pantai Manis and Bakapit, he said in a statement here today.

He said the suspects were brought to the temporary detention centre in Tawau for documentation before deportation to their respective countries.

The operation was coordinated by ESSCom with the cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Immigration Department. -- BERNAMA