KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized illicit cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, diesel, and fireworks worth nearly RM7 million in a series of statewide raids under ‘Ops Taring Awas/Batas’.
Sarawak GOF Brigade Commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the total seizure value of RM6,953,882.39 came from eight cases conducted from Sept 18 to 27.
The operations, involving the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 23rd Battalions, led to the arrest of 25 individuals including 23 locals (16 men and 7 women) and one foreign man.
All of them, aged between 19 and 60, were found transporting, storing and selling the contraband goods without Customs approval.
“The largest haul occurred on Sept 25 when the Sarawak GOF Brigade’s Intelligence Branch together with 10th, 11th and 23rd Battalions raided seven different premises, namely four in Bau, two in Sri Aman, and one in Sibu.
“It resulted in the confiscation 10,151 cartons of cigarettes, 4,004 litres of alcoholic drinks, 400 litres of diesel and 23 boxes of fireworks, all of which valued at RM3.76 million.
“A total of seven locals — six men and a woman — were arrested in this operation,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, other high value cases included 2,750 cartons of cigarettes and a van worth RM1.01 million in Padawan on Sept 18; 1,420 cartons of cigarettes and 5,754 litres of alcoholic drinks in Kuching and Kota Samarahan on Sept 24 (RM738,332); and 1,376 cartons of cigarettes, 434 litres of alcoholic drinks, 400 litres of diesel, a fuel drum, and vehicles in Sibu and Limbang on Sept 26 (RM687,285.90).
Four more operations held across Julau, Padawan, Kuching, and Sri Aman between Sept 18 and 27, resulted in additional seizures of cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, and vehicles, with values ranging from RM31,668 to RM425,189.60.
Lim said all arrests and seizures have been handed to the respective District Police Headquarters (IPD) for further investigation.
The cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957, Section 145 of the Local Authority Ordinance 1996, Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
