Police have detected a new tactic in which illegal immigrants entered the country by land disguised as tourists.

Padang Besar deputy police chief DSP Abdul Razak Md Din said they were also disguised as ordinary folks while dealing with the Immigration Department at the border.

"These illegals may have thought it is difficult to enter through the illegal routes along the border fences being monitored tightly by the General Operations Force (GOF) and so disguised themselves (as tourists).

"In the first six months of this year, 20 illegals who entered via the illegal routes have been arrested," he said when met here Sunday.

He said police would continue to beef up surveillance to eradicate cross-border crimes that are rampant, especially smuggling and human trafficking.