KUCHING: More than 10 tonnes of smuggled frozen meat products worth over RM203,265 have been seized by the General Operations Force (GOF), delivering a major blow to cross-border syndicates operating along Sarawak’s western flank.
Codenamed ‘Ops Taring Batas/Awas’ and ‘Ops Taring Chiller’, the operations held across Bau, Lundu and Tebedu led to a total confiscation of 10,994kg of frozen meat products.
Sarawak GOF Brigade Commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the largest seizure occurred on Nov 11 in Bau when the GOF 11th Battalion stopped a lorry in Kampung Stass for attempting to smuggle frozen products without valid documents.
“Inspections led to the finding of 8,200kg of frozen beef, valued at RM148,800, in the back of the lorry.
“The 37-year-old local driver was arrested on the spot,” he said.
The next day in Kampung Raso, Lundu, another 2,400kg of frozen beef worth RM43,200 was confiscated when the same battalion detained a 28-year-old man for transporting the items in a lorry without a valid permit.
On Nov 20, Lim said the GOF 23rd Battalion managed to uncover 16 plastic packages abandoned in a forested area in Tebedu.
“The packages contained 144kg of sausages and 30kg of frozen tripe (cow stomach), valued at RM1,865, believed to be smuggled out of the state,” he said.
He added the same battalion intercepted another attempt on Nov 21, stopping a van driven by two local men, aged 27 and 40, in Tebedu.
“The vehicle was carrying 220kg of frozen pork, worth RM9,400, with no documentation,” he said.
The suspects and seized frozen products have been handed over to the District Veterinary Offices in Bau, Lundu and Tebedu for further action.
The cases are being probed under the Section 9(1)(3) and Section 17(1) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.
