KUCHING: Smugglers, diesel syndicates and illegal loggers suffered a major blow after the General Operations Force (GOF) seized RM15.14 million worth of contraband in 26 operations carried out across the state this month.
The haul, held between June 1 and 22, was the result of coordinated enforcement under ‘Ops Taring Alpha’, ‘Ops Taring Bravo’, ‘Ops Taring Batas/Awas’, ‘Ops Taring Chiller’, ‘Ops Taring Delta’ and ‘Ops Taring Libas’, targeting cross-border crime, controlled goods smuggling and illegal logging at strategic locations throughout Sarawak.
Sarawak GOF Brigade commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the operations also resulted in the arrest of 39 people.
Among the biggest successes were the seizure of frozen food products imported without valid permits, the crippling of diesel misappropriation syndicates, the confiscation of untaxed cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, and the detection of illegal logging operations.
“Two separate raids in Kuching and Saratok alone uncovered frozen food products valued at more than RM1 million each.
“Meanwhile, operations in Kota Samarahan, Sri Aman and Bintulu busted several diesel misappropriation activities, leading to the seizure of 45,770 litres of diesel, skid tanks, intermediate bulk container (IBC) tanks, fuel transfer equipment, vehicles and heavy machinery believed to have been used in the illegal operations.
“Under ‘Ops Taring Alpha’, GOF personnel also raided premises in Sarikei and Padawan, confiscating large quantities of untaxed cigarettes and alcoholic beverages,” he said.
Another breakthrough under ‘Ops Taring Batas/Awas’ saw an attempt thwarted to smuggle frozen meat products into the state without valid permits in Bau.
Lim said the sweep also uncovered illegal logging activities, with authorities seizing heavy machinery and equipment worth RM5.93 million believed to have been used in the operations.
All the suspects and seized items have been handed over to the relevant enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department, the Sarawak Forest Department and police for further investigation and action under the relevant laws.
He added that the brigade would continue intensifying aggressive, continuous and integrated enforcement operations without compromise to stamp out smuggling, misappropriation of controlled goods, illegal logging and other cross-border crimes.
