SARATOK: Three local men were arrested after a lorry carrying controlled goods without valid documents was intercepted during an integrated operation at Kilometer 52 of Jalan Betong-Sarikei on Thursday (Apr 9).
Saratok Police Chief, DSP Mathew Manggie, said the operation, conducted by personnel from the district police headquarters (IPD) with assistance from the Marine Police Force (PPM) Region 5, focused on monitoring strategic routes along the Pan Borneo Highway.
“Inspection of the lorry found it was transporting hundreds of packets of cooking oil and coarse sugar, but the driver failed to produce any documents related to ownership or authorisation,” he said in a statement.
He said that the three men, aged between 22 and 40 years old, comprising a driver and two attendants, were detained at the scene to assist in investigations.
The seizure involved 442 packets of one-kilogramme cooking oil and 504 packets of one-kilogramme coarse sugar, as well as a Toyota cargo lorry.
“The total value of the seized items is estimated at RM127,774. The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and all suspects and seized items have been handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sri Aman for further action,” he added.
Mathew said enforcement would continue to be strengthened, especially along main routes, to curb smuggling activities that could affect the supply of essential goods in the market.
