KUCHING: Sarawak’s smuggling networks took a heavy blow after the General Operations Force (GOF) uncovered nearly RM9.9 million worth of non-taxable goods in a sweeping series of raids carried out across the state over three weeks.
The seizures were made during 15 operations conducted between November 26 and December 16, netting a massive haul of contraband ranging from illicit cigarettes and alcohol to fuel, food items and fireworks.
Among the items seized were 17,149 cartons of illegal cigarettes, 27,718.68 litres of beer and liquor, 50 litres of diesel, 1,509 litres of kerosene, 25,000kg of white sugar, 12,708kg of shallots, 60kg of frozen beef and cow bones, 600 boxes of frozen sausages, 17kg of cooking oil, 12kg of CSR sugar, and 208 fireworks.
The operations also saw enforcement teams impound 12 cars of various makes, and nine lorries, believed to have been used to transport the goods.
Sarawak GOF Brigade Commander, SAC Lim Bak Phai, said 66 individuals aged between 16 and 74 were arrested for further action.
Those detained comprised 48 local men, 11 local women, two foreign men and five foreign women.
He said the integrated operations involved inspections of 46 premises, 10 vehicles and an unmanned hut statewide.
“The largest success was on November 26 when GOF raided six premises around Miri, which led to the seizure of 4,909 cartons of cigarettes and 12,586.04 litres of beers worth, all of which are worth RM2.51 million,” he added.
“The operations also led to the arrest of six local individuals.”
Lim added that the second biggest breakthrough came on December 5, when coordinated raids on seven premises around Sarawak resulted in the seizure of 3,644 cartons of cigarettes, 1,061.4 litres of beer, and an undisclosed quantity of fireworks, with the total haul valued at RM1.60 million.
Apart from the seizures, the team also arrested 10 individuals, comprising locals and foreigners, for allegedly storing and selling the goods.
All seized items and suspects have been handed over to the relevant agencies for further investigation under the respective laws.
Between January 1 and December 16 this year, Sarawak GOF recorded a staggering RM404.9 million in seizures across 623 cases.
During the same period, 741 individuals, comprising 591 locals and 150 foreigners, were arrested, while 362 vehicles of various types were confiscated.
