GOF Sarawak seizes RM6.82 mln in contraband, wildlife during ops in Sibu, Bau
KUCHING (May 22): The General Operations Force (GOF) Sarawak Brigade has successfully crippled three criminal activities in recent operations under Op Taring Alpha/Charlie and Op Bersepadu Khazanah, with total seizures valued at around RM6.82 million.
Sarawak GOF Brigade deputy commander, ACP Rosdi Inai, said the first operation, conducted on May 21 at a residence in Sibu, led to the arrest of a 44-year-old local man and the confiscation of various contraband items and weapons including imitation firearms.
'The seized items included 7,600 cartons of white cigarettes, 6,788 cartons of kretek cigarettes, 435 boxes of firecrackers, two imitation firearms, nine dangerous weapons and a four-wheel drive vehicle with an estimated value of RM6,297,990,' he said in a statement today.
The case is being investigated under multiple laws, including the Customs Act 1967 and the Arms Act 1960.
In a second operation on May 19, GOF personnel raided a premises in Bau believed to be used for the illegal storage of 15,000kg of rattan.
'On May 19, a team from the GOF Sarawak Brigade Headquarters raided a premises in Bau suspected of being used to store rattan without a permit.
'Eleven men, including three foreigners, were arrested, and 15,000kg of rattan along with two lorries were seized. The total seizure is estimated at RM490,000,' he said.
A handout photo shows illegal rattan seized during one of the raids.
The case is currently under investigation by the Bau District Police Headquarters (IPD) and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998 and the Immigration Act.
The third operation, also conducted on May 19 in Sibu, targeted illegal wildlife possession.
'In that operation, a 49-year-old local man was arrested for possessing 35 wild animals, 84kg of coral, and captive equipment without a permit.
'The seizure is estimated at RM34,730 and the case has been handed over to SFC Sibu and is being investigated under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998,' said Rosdi.
He also revealed that from January 1 to May 22, Op Taring operations have resulted in seizures worth RM243 million across 188 cases, leading to 297 arrests and the confiscation of 178 vehicles.
'This operation demonstrates GOF's ongoing commitment to combat smuggling and crimes related to the country's natural resources,' he said. contraband GOF illegal Op Taring
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