RM3.5 mln in contraband seized in GOF's Ops Taring along Sarawak-Kalimantan border
A GOF personnel questions the van driver after he was caught with 3,400 cartons of white cigarettes in Bau. – Sarawak GOF photo
KUCHING (April 24): The General Operations Force's (GOF) continued crackdown on smuggling activities along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border has resulted in six major successes involving seizures totalling an estimated RM3.5 million.
Sarawak GOF commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said Ops Taring Alpha and Ops Taring Awas/Batas operations conducted from April 21-23 saw several arrests and seizure of various contraband goods.
The seized goods included untaxed cigarettes, red onions, large onions, frozen food products, frozen meat, and air rifles—all smuggled via unregulated routes along the border.
'The operations were the result of close collaboration between intelligence units, infantry battalions, and other enforcement agencies.
'This effort reflects the ongoing commitment of the Sarawak GOF in tackling cross-border smuggling that threatens national security and stability, while also protecting the local economy from the influx of illegal goods,' he said in a statement today.
He said the first case involved the seizure of 3,400 cartons of white cigarettes of various brands and a van in Bau, valued at a total of RM1.77 million, with a 58-year-old local man detained to assist in investigations.
The second case saw three local men aged between 42 and 48 detained at the Lundu border with 900 sacks of large onions hidden in three lorries, with total seizures valued at RM961,500.
'The third and fourth cases, also in Bau, saw two men arrested with 800 boxes of frozen food products worth RM427,800, and another man arrested with 400 sacks of red onions valued at RM360,500,' he said.
For the fifth case, Che Ghazali said it involved the seizure of 60 boxes of frozen meat worth RM48,000 in Tebedu, while the sixth case saw a cache of air rifles and ammunition worth an estimated RM18,300 seized in Serian.
The cases have been handed over to the respective police stations for further investigations under the Customs Act 1967, Control of Supplies Act 1961, Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, and Arms Act 1960.
Che Ghazali also informed that from Jan 1 this year up until today, Ops Taring operations conducted by the Sarawak GOF has recorded 108 cases, involving the arrest of 187 locals and 69 foreigners, and RM219 million worth of seizures including 152 vehicles.
'We will continue to intensify our operations in a comprehensive and coordinated manner along the state's border to eliminate smuggling activities entirely,' he said. borders GOF kalimantan Ops Taring smuggling
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