KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) has crippled four cross-border smuggling attempts, seizing frozen food products worth more than RM1.13 million this month.
Sarawak GOF Brigade commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the operations, codenamed ‘Ops Taring Awas/Batas’, were carried out on Sept 2, 3 and 8 in Bau, Tebedu, Lubok Antu and Lundu.
A total of eight suspects aged between 28 and 49 — comprising five local men and three foreign women — were arrested during the operations.
“On Sept 2, the GOF 11th Battalion foiled an attempt to smuggle 400 boxes of frozen sausages into Indonesia near Kampung Stass in Bau. The food items worth RM102,400 and a lorry valued at RM150,000 were seized.
“The next day, GOF 23rd Battalion thwarted an attempt to smuggle 19 boxes of frozen pork and two boxes of frozen sausages in Tebedu, Serian. The goods together with a vehicle were confiscated, with the total value estimated at RM45,000,” he said.
Lim stated that 23.8kg of frozen food products and various controlled items were seized on Sept 8 after the GOF 10th Battalion intercepted an attempt to smuggle the goods via an illegal route.
The goods, together with two vehicles used in the crime, were seized with a value of RM185,716.50.
On the same day, GOF 11th Battalion intelligence branch stopped two lorries at an illegal route in Lundu, and found 7,500kg of frozen food worth RM360,000 in the cargo bed. The vehicles, valued at RM290,000, were also seized.
All of the suspects and seized items were handed over to the relevant enforcement agencies for further actions.
The cases are being investigated under Section 9(1)(3) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 and Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
