KUCHING: Thirty-eight individuals, including two foreigners, were arrested as the Sarawak General Operations Force (PGA) Brigade seized contraband worth RM9.3 million during ‘Op Kontraban Mega’ conducted statewide from 26 to 29 August.
Briged Sarawak Commanding Officer, SAC Lim Bak Phai, said the suspects comprised 24 local men and 12 local women aged between 18 and 72, as well as a 34-year-old foreign man and a 35-year-old foreign woman.
He said the large-scale operation, carried out simultaneously across Sarawak, involved teams from the PGA Brigade Headquarters in Kuching, along with personnel from Battalion 10 Sibu, Battalion 11 Kuching, Battalion 23 Sri Aman, and Battalion 12 Miri.
“A total of 29 raids and inspections were conducted at suspected premises in Kuching (11 locations), Kota Samarahan (four), Serian (one), Sri Aman (two), Sibu (six), Miri (two), Limbang (two) and Bintulu (one),” Lim said.
THE seized items all over Sarawak.
The seizures included 13,530 cartons of white cigarettes of various brands, 2,549 cartons of kretek cigarettes, 85,225 litres of assorted liquor, several firecrackers, and five motor vehicles.
“The estimated total value of the seizures stands at RM9,329,747, consisting of RM5.6 million worth of cigarettes, RM3.1 million in liquor, and about RM468,000 in other items,” Lim added.
He noted that from 1 January to 29 August this year, the Sarawak PGA Brigade has recorded 357 cases, arrested 467 suspects, and seized 241 vehicles, with the overall value of contraband confiscated amounting to RM322.7 million.
SAC Lim confirmed that the brigade’s committed to step up enforcement against smuggling and illegal trade in Sarawak.
By Connie Chieng