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THE General Operations Force (GOF) have seized at least RM13.5 million worth of smuggled liquor, cigarettes and frozen meat in four locations across Sarawak during its latest crackdowns.
The successful raids were carried out by teams of GOF units within a 24-hour period between March 9 and March 10, this year.
The teams uncovered a total of more than 25 tonnes of these unlicenced products in two locations in Sibu town in central Sarawak, as well as in Betong in southern Sarawak and in Limbang in northern Sarawak. The raids also led to arrests of several suspects.
Sarawak GOF Commander Che Ghazali Che Awang today said the raids were carried out in premises suspected to be used as storage facilities for illicit products.
"The good seized were suspected to be brought into Sarawak illegally. We have handed the cases over to the Customs Department," he said in Kuching today.
Late last week, in a separate case in Bintulu town on March 9, more than 27 tonnes of frozen imported meat were seized during a raid.
The Bintulu GOF Unit had uncovered a premise used to store frozen meat which was believed to have been smuggled into Sarawak.
"A total of 27,131 kgs of various types of frozen meat were seized and a 28-year-old local man was arrested during the raid.
"We also seized storage equipment and vehicles.
“The estimated market value of the meat products were RM2,326,534," Ghazali said in a press statement then.
Sarawak is also a hotspot for smuggled food as well as alcoholic drinks and cigarettes.
As much as RM45 milionl worth of these illicit booze and cigarettes were seized in this vast state during the first week of January this year.
Out of this amount, some RM34 million worth of these illicit items were seized in Kuching district alone.
The GOF led raids in various locations throughout the state, assisted by other enforcement agencies in a special operation codenamed Ops Taring Alpha.
These cases are being investigated under the Customs Act 1965. The authorities are also probing how these items were smuggled into this state and from which places of origin. – March 12, 2025
