LUNDU: The General Operations Force (GOF) has foiled three smuggling attempts involving five locals, and seized cooking oil packets and red onions worth over RM1.22 million last week.
Sarawak GOF Brigade Deputy Commander, ACP Rosdi Inai, said that a series of operations, codenamed Op Taring Awas/Batas, were conducted on May 9 and May 10, targeting vehicles suspected of transporting controlled goods without valid permits.
On May 9, the GOF 11th Battalion halted a Toyota Hilux at around 8:45 pm, which is believed to be transporting cooking oil without a valid permit.
“A 19-year-old local man was arrested after the team uncovered 1,428 kilogrammes (kg) of cooking oil packets in the vehicle’s cargo.
“The estimated total seizure value is RM69,853.20, based on market price,” he said.
The next day (May 10) at around 3:50 am, the same battalion intercepted a lorry and discovered 4,182 kg of cooking oil packets in its cargo.
“The team arrested a 45-year-old local man, and the seized items were estimated to be worth RM228,855.80, based on market price,” he said.
Just 30 minutes later, the team stopped another three lorries believed to be transporting red onions without proper documentation.
Rosdi added that three local men, aged between 39 and 45, were taken into custody.
Further inspections uncovered a total of 16,200 kg of red onions in the lorries’ cargo, with its estimated seizure value amounting to RM924,000 – based on market price.
In total, four lorries and one Toyota Hilux were seized during the operations.
All cases have been referred to the Sarawak Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) and Lundu Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division for further investigation under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and Section 23(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
