KUCHING: Smugglers across Sarawak are feeling the heat after a two-week operation by the General Operations Force (GOF) dismantled multiple illegal trade networks and seized contraband worth more than RM4.04 million.
The raids — conducted under Ops Taring Alpha, Ops Taring Bravo, and Ops Taring Batas/Awas between Oct 14 and 27 — also saw 33 suspects, aged between 16 and 58, taken into custody for smuggling, storing and selling duty-not-paid goods.
Sarawak GOF Brigade Commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said of the total, 28 were locals and five were foreigners.
“The biggest breakthrough came on Oct 14 in Sibu, when the 10th Battalion uncovered a large-scale illegal alcohol storage facility managed by five suspects, including two Indonesians.
“The raid led to the seizure of 24,552 litres of untaxed beer worth RM859,320, along with a pickup truck and semi-trailer with two containers valued at RM320,000.
“Nine days later (Oct 23), another major operation in the same district, exposed a diesel misappropriation racket involving 14 suspects, one of them a 16-year-old.
“It led to the confiscation of 38,800 litres of diesel, 16 storage tanks, six machines, and nine vehicles worth over RM1 million,” he said.
In addition to the major busts, other operations have led to 14 more arrests and seizures across Kuching, Sibu, Kota Samarahan, Bintulu, Sri Aman, and Lundu.
Lim stated that GOF personnel uncovered various illegal activities involving the sale and storage of 736,456 of untaxed cigarettes, 4,294.56 litres of beers, 200 litres of diesel, and 16 gas cylinders, with overall seizures worth over RM1.8 million.
The suspects and seizures have since been handed over to the respective district police headquarters (IPD), Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), and the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication for further action.
All of the cases are being investigated under various laws such as the Customs Act 1967, Immigration Act 1959/63, the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and the Gas Distribution Ordinance 2016.
Between Jan 1 and Oct 27, the Sarawak GOF Brigade have recorded a staggering seizure value of RM381.8 million involving 500 cases.
To date, 608 individuals (474 locals and 134 foreigners) have been arrested, and 319 vehicles of various types have been confiscated.
