SERIAN: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized over RM730,000 worth of frozen food products in a series of raids around Tebedu, Serian, earlier this month.
Sarawak GOF Brigade Commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the first case occurred on Aug 11 when the 23rd Battalion raided a premises along Jalan Tebedu believed to be used as a frozen food storage facility.
“A 41-year-old local woman was arrested and checks led to the seizure of various frozen chicken parts suspected to be without valid licence and permits.
“Two forklifts and two refrigerators were also confiscated. The haul was valued at RM223,320,” he said.
On Aug 4, the same battalion stopped two vehicles for inspections along Jalan Tebedu heading towards the Malaysia-Indonesia border.
Lim said two foreign women, aged 48 and 51, were arrested after the discovery of 202 boxes of frozen food products without valid documents and permits.
“A Toyota Hilux and a Daihatsu Gran Max were also seized. The total value of the seizure was RM371,600,” he said.
In a separate operation the same day, a 55-year-old local man was detained after his van was stopped at Tebedu.
“Fifty boxes of frozen food products, believed to be without valid permits, were found inside the vehicle.
“The products and the van, worth RM140,000 in total, were confiscated,” he said.
All the suspects and seized items were handed over to the Sarawak Veterinary Department for further action under the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.
