Latest news with #GeneralOperationsForce
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
GOF thwarts smuggling of cattle, exotic birds
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force's (GOF) Southeast Brigade foiled two smuggling attempts involving cattle and exotic birds in raids conducted under Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said that in the first raid, a team from GOF Battalion 8 stopped a suspicious lorry at Kampung Wakaf Simen in Tanah Merah at 11.15pm on Thursday. 'Upon inspection, we found 15 cows smuggled in from Thailand without valid documents. The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, is estimated at RM186,000. 'The driver, a 52-year-old Malaysian, was arrested and is believed to have been transporting the cows to local markets for Hari Raya Aidiladha,' he said yesterday, Bernama reported. In a separate raid near the illegal Paija base in Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, GOF personnel found several boxes and animal cages abandoned on the riverbank during a patrol near midnight. 'The boxes contained three exotic parrots and a white peacock, estimated to be worth RM65,000. They are believed to have been smuggled in from a neighbouring country,' he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Bid to smuggle parrots, rare peacock foiled by GOF
TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) foiled an attempt to smuggle three parrots and a rare white peacock worth about RM65,000 in Pengkalan Kubor last night. However, no arrests were made in the operation, said GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid. He said the Eighth Battalion team was on routine patrol under Op Taring Wawasan when they spotted suspicious activities about 11pm. "GOF personnel came across several boxes and animal cages hidden along the riverbank. Upon inspection, they found three parrots believed to be of the cockatoo species and a rare white peacock, with an estimated value of RM65,000. "They are believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand via an illegal jetty," he said. He said the case was being investigated under Section 60(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. The seized animals have been handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in Kota Baru for further action. He reaffirmed GOF's commitment to strengthening border patrols to curb cross-border smuggling, particularly of protected wildlife species. "The GOF will continue to intensify efforts to safeguard our borders against such illegal activities," he added.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Selayang crackdown: Authorities raid 225 premises to weed out undocumented migrants
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — Authorities mounted raids on 225 residences and commercial units in Selayang Utara, near here last night in Op Kachi, to check illegal immigrants. Deputy director for the General Operations Force (GOF) of Bukit Aman's Internal Security and Public Order Department, Datuk Mohamad Suzrin Mohamad Rodhi, said 1,435 individuals were screened during the integrated operation, which began at 10.45pm and ended at 6am this morning. 'Myanmar nationals made up the highest count with 1,222 individuals, including 160 children, while the rest comprised citizens of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Indonesia,' he said at a press conference following the operation. Mohamad Suzrin said the majority of them are workers at Selayang Wholesale Market and nearby businesses. He said that some of the illegal immigrants held United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards, adding that they were handed over to the Immigration Department for verification of the authenticity of the cards. He added that the individuals were also found to have committed various offences under laws enforced by the Immigration Department, the Energy Commission, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). 'The offences included overstaying, lack of valid travel documents, electricity metres tampering, illegal water connections, and operating businesses without licences,' he said, adding that accommodations raided had been illegally modified to house a large number of occupants and have unauthorised utility connections. According to Mohamad Suzrin, the raids were mounted following public complaints regarding the large number of illegal immigrants in the area. Coordinated by the police, the operation also involved the Immigration Department, DBKL, the Energy Commission, SPAN, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, St John Malaysia, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad, with a total of 560 personnel. — Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Police 'lock down' Selayang buildings, screen 1,435 foreigners
KUALA LUMPUR: A multi-agency raid led by federal police in Selayang saw two buildings "locked down" and 1,435 foreigners screened. The vast majority of those screened were from Myanmar, while others were from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Nepal. Some 160 were children. The raid, dubbed "Op Kachi", began at 10.45pm with 560 personnel, including those from the General Operations Force, Immigration Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and Civil Defence Force, closing off all entry and exit points in Selayang Utara. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department deputy director (General Operations Force) Datuk Mohamad Suzrin Mohamad Rodhi said 225 residential and business units in the two shoplot buildings were raided. "The operation was conducted following two weeks of surveillance based on complaints over the high number of undocumented foreigners in the area. "When we sprang into action last night, some of them even tried to evade our checks by climbing onto rooftops to hide," he told reporters at the scene today. Of those screened, 1,222 were from Myanmar, followed by Bangladesh (142), India (9), Indonesia (4), and Nepal (1). Suzrin said the Myanmar nationals comprised 702 men, 360 women, and 160 children. Many of them were Rohingya holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards. He added that the Immigration Department would verify the authenticity of the UNHCR cards. "I've been told that a number of them have been flagged, as scans of their cards yielded negative results. "They will be brought to the Immigration Department office in Putrajaya for further checks," he said. A number of foreigners were subsequently detained, though details were not immediately available. Suzrin said they would also be taking further action against those found employing foreigners without proper permits, as well as individuals providing shelter to undocumented migrants. He added that personnel from the Energy Commission, National Water Services Commission (SPAN), and Tenaga Nasional Berhad who joined the raid also uncovered illegal renovations and unauthorised water and electricity connections in the buildings. "Various offences have been detected under the Electricity Supply Act, Street, Drainage and Building Act, and Local Government Act. Further investigations and enforcement action will be taken by the relevant authorities," he said. This is the second time Bukit Aman has launched a crackdown by locking down an entire area known to be populated by foreigners. In December 2023, over 1,000 officers and members of the GOF surrounded the "Mini Dhaka" area in Jalan Silang.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes 15 smuggled cows in Kelantan border operation
TANAH MERAH: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 15 cows, believed to have been smuggled into the country, in Kampung Wakaf here on Wednesday. The seizure was made under Op Taring Wawasan when a team from the Eighth Battalion stopped a lorry after its driver was seen acting suspiciously at 11.15pm. Southeast Brigade GOF commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said checks by the enforcement team found that the driver was transporting the cows without valid documentation. "The lorry driver, a 52-year-old man, has been arrested to assist in investigations into the case. "The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, is estimated at RM186,000. The case is being investigated under Section 36(1) of the Animals Act 1953. "The suspect, the seized items, and the cows have been handed over to the Kelantan Veterinary Services Department for further action," he said. He added that the GOF would continue to step up efforts to curb smuggling activities along the country's borders.
