KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) arrested a local man and seized over RM1 million worth of untaxed cigarettes in separate districts last week.
Sarawak GOF Brigade deputy commander ACP Rosdi Inai said the operations, codenamed ‘Op Taring Alpha’ and ‘Op Taring Awas/Batas’, were carried out on May 11 and May 8 respectively, targeting smuggling activities involving cigarettes that had not gone through customs clearance.
On May 11, the GOF 11th Battalion’s Intelligence branch raided a premises at 5.59 pm in Kuching, which was believed to be used as a storage facility for contraband cigarettes.
“The team arrested a 25-year-old local man for further investigations.
“Thorough inspections led to the discovery of 2,848 cartons of various branded cigarettes. The seized items are estimated to be worth RM1,014,220, based on market value,” he said.
Both the suspect and the seized contraband have been handed over to Kuching district police headquarters (IPD) for further investigation.
Meanwhile, on May 8, the GOF 23rd Battalion conducted a patrol near the border area at 6am in Tebedu, where smuggling activities were suspected to be taking place via illegal routes connecting Sarawak and Kalimantan.
“The team came across four boxes and two plastic-wrapped packages in suspicious circumstances hidden within the bushes. Further checks uncovered 244 cartons of various branded cigarettes.
“The seizures, valued at RM166,408, was handed over to the Serian IPD for further action,” he said.
Rosdi added that both cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
