KUCHING: A predawn joint raid blew the lid off a suspected smuggling and illegal storage hub in Bau, with authorities uncovering a massive haul of unlicensed forest produce, fuel and controlled goods worth about RM1.4 million.
‘Ops Bersepadu Khazanah’ by the Sarawak Marine Police Force Region 5 (PPMW5), and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), also led to the arrest of six locals — five men and a woman — at a premises believed to be used as a warehouse.
PPMW5 deputy commander Supt Rusdin Banin said the operation was carried out at around 3am on Monday (Jan 12), following gathered intelligence.
“The team discovered 1,306 bundles of rattan, a lorry and 10 containers with trailers, all suspected to have been brought in from a neighbouring country without valid documentation.
“Also seized were about 13,450 litres of diesel stored in several skid tanks, 1,200 packets of coarse sugar, 6,150 packets of cooking oil, and 6,172 pieces of sawn timber in various types and sizes, all believed to be kept without proper permits.
“The total seizure value is estimated at around RM1.4 million,” he told a press conference this morning.
Rusidn stated that the diesel, cooking oil and sugar were believed to have been intended for misappropriation and smuggling from Sarawak to neighbouring countries.
The suspects and seized items have been handed over to SFC and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Kuching for further action.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 and the Sarawak Forests Ordinance 2015.
Meanwhile, SFC deputy general manager (Conservation) Madhan Kiflie said the suspects are the owner and workers at the warehouse, adding that investigations so far point to a well-organised syndicate.
“From our investigations, we believe this is indeed a syndicate involved in moving goods between two countries and exporting them overseas.
“This is a well-organised syndicate as they appear to be exploiting what they see as possible gaps in our laws and taking advantage of the situation,” he said.
On how long the syndicate may have been operating, Madhan said this was the third such arrest linked to similar activities, although the suspects involved were different.
