KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) successfully prevented two separate smuggling attempts involving subsidised fuel in coordinated raids in Sematan and Debak late last month.
Three local men and a foreigner were arrested while over RM400,000 worth of fuel and vehicles were seized during the raids on July 31.
Sarawak GOF Brigade commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said the first operation was carried out by the GOF 11th Battalion at around 7.50am, when a lorry suspected of transporting excess subsidised diesel without valid permits was intercepted in Sematan.
“The team detained two local men and a foreigner, aged between 35 and 39. Further inspections led to the discovery of 15,432 litres of diesel stored in a skid tank, along with a fuel meter and the lorry used in the operation.
“The total value of the seizure, based on market estimates, was RM291,553.44,” he said.
The suspects and seized items were handed over to Lundu district police headquarters (IPD) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) Kuching branch for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 20(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Meanwhile, in Debak on the same day, the GOF’s 23rd Battalion intercepted a Toyota Hilux suspected of illegally carrying subsidised fuel.
“A 64-year-old local man was arrested, and the team found 480 litres of petrol, 100 litres of diesel inside 21 jerry cans of various sizes,” he said.
The vehicle and fuel, worth an estimated RM111,815, were handed over to KPDN Sri Aman branch for further action.
Che Ghazali said the case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
