KUCHING: The Sarawak Brigade General Operations Force (GOF) recorded 29 successful raids in six operations from Sept 14 to 30, with total seizures estimated at RM84.42 million.
Sarawak Brigade GOF commander SAC Datuk Lim Bak Phai said the operations resulted in the arrest of 41 individuals, comprising 30 locals and 11 foreigners.
He said the arrests involved various offences, including the storage and sale of cigarettes and liquor without Customs tax clearance, misappropriation of subsidised fuel, and smuggling of controlled items and frozen products.
“Additionally, the operations involved the collection and processing of timber without a permit, immigration and drug offences, as well as the processing and sale of ketum water,” he said in a statement.
He said Ops Taring Libas in Tatau, Kuching and Betong resulted in the seizure of logs, processing equipment, diesel fuel, machinery and lorries worth RM76.83 million.
“Ops Taring Bravo in Sri Aman recorded the seizure of diesel, skid tanks, machinery and lorries worth RM3.79 million, while Ops Taring Batas/Awas at five locations involved immigration offences, drugs, subsidised fuel and smuggling, with seizures valued at RM2.18 million.
“Ops Taring Alpha at five locations involved the seizure of untaxed cigarettes and liquor worth RM1.46 million, while Ops Taring Chiller in Miri recorded the seizure of 2,826 kilograms (kg) of frozen products worth RM158,995,” he said.
As for Ops Taring Mitra here, he said two local men were arrested for allegedly processing and selling ketum water, with 15 kg of ketum leaves, 138 bottles of ketum water, equipment and RM1,042 in cash seized, with a total value of RM7,849.
He added that all suspects and seized items had been handed over to the relevant departments and agencies for further action.
