RM11.87 million crude palm oil smuggling syndicates busted in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU (July 15): The Sabah Brigade General Operations Force (GOF) has dismantled a network of crude palm oil (CPO) smuggling syndicates operating along the west and east coasts of Sabah through a series of raids conducted since January.
Sabah Brigade GOF Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rani Alias, said eight raids were carried out under Op Kontraban (Op Taring Palma), involving various GOF battalions.
'The operation involved personnel from BN14 Tawau, BN15 Sandakan, BN16 Kota Kinabalu, BN17 Lahad Datu, BN20 Beluran, BN21 Keningau and BN22 Kunak,' he said in a statement on Tuesday.
A total of 26 individuals were arrested — comprising 21 local men, four Filipinos and one Indonesian.
Abdul Rani said the suspects were believed to be involved in the illegal storage and transfer of CPO without valid licences and had failed to submit the required documentation.
'The total value of the seizures is estimated at RM11.87 million, which includes CPO worth RM1.89 million, vehicles such as lorries and trailers worth RM9.32 million, and various equipment valued at RM650,890,' he said.
He added that the operation successfully disrupted the activities of organised syndicates involved in the illegal distribution and smuggling of CPO across Sabah's coasts.
The GOF, he said, will continue to conduct such operations to safeguard public safety and ensure the well-being of the community.
Abdul Rani also urged the public to report any suspicious activities in their areas to the authorities.
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