KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) has seized contraband cigarettes and beers worth over RM5.6 million in two separate raids under ‘Op Taring Alpha’ recently.
Sarawak GOF Brigade Commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said six locals including a woman, aged between 22 and 40, were also taken into custody for allegedly storing and selling smuggled cigarettes.
“The first operation took place on Aug 19 when the GOF Brigade’s Intelligence Branch targeted a house at 3.17 pm.
“Further inspection at the premises led to the seizure of 12,900 cartons of various brands of cigarettes with an estimated market value of RM4,644,000,” he said.
Two days later, on Aug 21, at around 2 pm, the GOF 11th Battalion’s Tiger Platoon and Intelligence Branch raided three premises around Kuching.
Checks on the premises uncovered 1,900 cartons of cigarettes and 6,183.28 litres of assorted beers.
Lim stated that the estimated value of the items in the second raid amounted to RM1,000,500.80.
All the suspects and seized goods were handed over to the Kuching district police headquarters (IPD) for further actions.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
