KUCHING: The Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) seized contraband worth RM3.25 million and arrested three local men in separate raids held in Betong and Limbang.
Sarawak GOF Commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said the operations, codenamed Op Taring Alpha 1 and 2, targeted illegal storage facilities for duty-not-paid cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
“Last Sunday (Mar 9), the GOF 23rd Battalion’s intelligence branch raided two premises around 2 pm, suspected to be used as storage for contraband.
“The team discovered a total of 2,169 cartons of cigarettes and 3,326.4 litres of various beers, with a market value of RM1,689,258,” he said.
A day later on Monday, the GOF 12th Battalion’s intelligence branch raided another premises at around 6.30 pm suspected of being a storage hub for illicit cigarettes.
Che Ghazali said a total of 2,900 cartons of various cigarette brands, valued at RM1,563,000, were found inside the premises.
All the suspects, aged between 28 and 50, were handed over to the respective district police headquarters (IPDs) along with the seized goods for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
From January 1 to March 10, the Sarawak GOF Brigade recorded enforcement successes worth RM175 million, involving 73 cases, 173 arrests, and the seizure of 88 vehicles.
