KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) has seized over RM2.29 million worth of frozen food products in separate raids in Miri and Lundu last week.
Sarawak GOF Brigade Commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said the operations codenamed ‘Op Taring Chiller’ and ‘Op Taring Awas/Batas’ also led to the arrests of three local men, aged 27, 28 and 59 years old.
The first operation in Miri, was carried out by GOF 12th Battalion’s Intelligence Branch on July 17 at around 10.50 am at a premises suspected of storing frozen food without valid permits.
“A 28-year-old local man was detained during the raid, which led to the discovery of 42,615.99kg of various frozen food items. A container-type freezer was also seized.
“The total seizure value amounted to RM1,918,146, based on market prices,” he said in a statement.
Both the suspect and seized goods were handed over to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Miri and Miri City Council for further action under Section 9(1) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 and the Local Authorities Ordinance 1996.
Later the same day, at around 4.10 pm, the GOF 11th Battalion intercepted a lorry in Lundu that was suspected of transporting frozen food without valid documentation.
“The team arrested a 27-year-old local man, and discovered a total of 350 boxes of frozen food in the back of the lorry.
“The seizures, valued at RM186,200, were handed over to the Lundu District Veterinary Office for further investigation,” he said.
On July 15, Che Ghazali said the same battalion intercepted another lorry at around 1.30 pm in Lundu and detained a 59-year-old local man after 350 boxes of frozen food were found on board.
The items, along with the vehicle, were seized with an estimated market value of RM187,200 and later handed to the Lundu District Veterinary Office for further action.
Both Lundu cases are being investigated under Section 17(1) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.
