KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized RM19.96 million worth of contraband and illicit goods while cracking down on smuggling, illegal logging and other cross-border crimes in a series of operations this month.
The 18 operations, carried out under ‘Ops Taring Bravo’, ‘Ops Taring Chiller’, ‘Ops Taring Batas/Awas’, ‘Ops Taring Libas’ and ‘Ops Bersepadu Khazanah’ between July 1 and 13, also resulted in several arrests involving both locals and foreigners.
Sarawak GOF Brigade commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the operations targeted various forms of cross-border crime and offences under the jurisdiction of multiple enforcement agencies.
“The largest haul involved more than 60 tonnes of frozen food products without valid permits, seized in Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Sri Aman and Kuching.
“The confiscated goods included chicken, pork, fish, nuggets and sausages, as well as cold storage facilities, vehicles and processing equipment, with a combined seizure value of RM10.06 million.
“GOF personnel also busted several subsidised diesel misappropriation activities in Sri Aman and Kota Samarahan, seizing nearly 16,000 litres of diesel, skid tanks, storage tanks, heavy machinery and equipment believed to have been used in the illegal operations.
“The diesel-related seizures were valued at RM824,599,” he said.
Meanwhile, ‘Ops Taring Libas’ and ‘Ops Bersepadu Khazanah’ also uncovered illegal logging, unlawful timber processing and wildlife-related offences, leading to the seizure of logs, processed timber, agarwood, edible bird’s nests, heavy machinery, storage facilities and various equipment.
Enforcement under ‘Ops Taring Batas/Awas’ led to the detention of several illegal immigrants and foiled attempts to smuggle rice and frozen meat products without valid permits.
Lim stated that phones, motorcycles and cash were also confiscated, with the total value of the seizures amounting to RM783,747.40.
All the suspects and seized items have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigations.
He pointed out that the successes reflect the brigade’s continued commitment to combating smuggling, misappropriation of controlled goods, storage and distribution of products without permits, illegal logging, wildlife-related offences and other crimes throughout the state.
