BINTULU: The General Operations Force (GOF) 12th Battalion successfully seized 65,050 kilogrammes of frozen food without a valid permit on yesterday (Oct 20).
The estimated total worth of the confiscated items stands at RM13,302,125.
This operation, codenamed Ops Taring Bravo, was carried out in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS) and the Bintulu Sarawak Islamic Religious Department.
A raid and inspection were conducted at around 8 am in the vicinity of the Kemena Industrial Estate, suspected to be serving as an unauthorised storage location for various frozen food products lacking the necessary import permits.
“During the conducted raid, the enforcement team detained two local men, aged 55 and 70 respectively.
“Further inspection revealed a total of 47,500 boxes (491,750 kilogrammes) containing various parts of chicken, such as wings, thighs, livers, breasts, and sausages, as well as 5,500 boxes (114,000 kilogrammes) containing various parts of beef, including meat, bones, and stomach.
“Additionally, 1,900 boxes (51,300 kilogrammes) of pork were found during the inspection,” it said in a statement.
The frozen food products, encompassing different brands, were housed within three freezing chambers on the property.
DVS proceeded to levy a fine on the property owner, and all confiscated items have been secured for subsequent measures and investigation.
This constitutes a breach of Section 9 (1) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, involving the importation of animal products or animal-based products without a valid permit.
