LIMBANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) 12th Battalion seized duty-unpaid cigarettes worth over RM2.5 million last Sunday (March 23).
GOF Sarawak Brigade commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said the operation, codenamed ‘Op Taring Alpha’, was conducted by the battalion’s intelligence unit at around 9 pm.
He added that the raid targeted a house suspected of being a storage hub for various uncustomed cigarettes.
“Inspections uncovered 931,600 sticks of assorted cigarettes hidden inside the premises. Also seized were two MPVs, bringing the total value of confiscated items to RM2,569,800 based on market prices.
“Two local men, aged 22 and 57, were arrested at the scene in connection with the contraband,” he said in a statement.
Che Ghazali added that the suspects and seized items were handed over to the Limbang district police headquarters (IPD) for further action.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(D) of the Customs Act 1967.
From Jan 1 to Mar 24, the Sarawak GOF Brigade recorded enforcement successes totalling RM202.2 million, involving 84 cases, 208 arrests, and the seizure of 128 vehicles.
