PADAWAN: A routine patrol turned into a bust for the General Operations Force (GOF) when a luxury SUV flagged down was found to be linked to a vehicle fraud case last week.
Sarawak GOF Brigade deputy commander ACP Rosdi Inai said the GOF 11th Battalion intercepted a Toyota Harrier for inspection at around 6.10 am on June 6.
What seemed like a standard stop quickly escalated when checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen under a police report for fraudulent acquisition.
“Following that, the 27-year-old driver was arrested and the vehicle, worth RM175,000, was seized.
“Both the suspect and the vehicle were handed over to Padawan district police headquarters (IPD) for further actions,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.
Upon conviction, the offence provides for imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years, whipping, and a fine.
Rosdi also revealed that from Jan 1 to June 11 this year, the Sarawak GOF Brigade has chalked up RM262 million in seizures from 209 cases, resulting in 321 arrests and the confiscation of 188 vehicles.
