TUMPAT: Two Malaysians and 20 foreigners were detained by police following a high-speed chase here last night.
During the chase, the driver of the vehicle in which they were travelling rammed the chasing patrol car several times, leaving it somewhat damaged.
However, another patrol vehicle joined the chase and the two police units managed to stop the other vehicle, a Proton Exora.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Khairi Shafie said the incident happened after a police patrol vehicle team had spotted the black-coloured Exora in Jalan Bendang Morak at 8.47pm.
He said the driver of the vehicle was seen to be acting suspiciously, so the patrol policemen decided to follow it.
"Realising the police car following him, the driver sped off toward Kampung Kepulau.
"During the high-speed chase, the police car was rammed by the suspect several times, causing some damage to its rear and doors.
"But with the help of another patrol team, police managed to stop the Proton Exora when it skidded and rammed into a road at Kampung Pohon Tanjung," he said in a statement.
Khairi said the driver and another man then jumped out of the Exora and attempted to escape but were apprehended.
He said they were locals who are believed to have been "tekong darat", the term given to people who harbour illegal immigrants.
"Upon checking the Exora, police found 20 illegal immigrants, all from Myanmar and without travel documents, crammed inside."
Khairi said all 22 were detained for further action.