THE successful seizure of the different raids.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Brigade of the General Operations Force (PGA) has recorded four major successes through its operations namely Op Taring Alpha, Op Taring Bravo, Op Taring Awas, and Op Libas with total seizures amounting to RM5,497,813.
PGA Commanding Officer, SAC Dr. Che Ghazali Che Awang said on June 24, at around 8.30 am, a police team from the Intelligence Branch of Battalion 10 PGA Sibu raided a location in the Sibu district suspected to be an illegal logging site operating without a valid permit.
During the operation, three local men aged between 39 and 57 were arrested. Further inspection revealed 350 logs of various sizes and one wood-cutting machine.
The estimated value of the seizure is RM3,504,000.00. The seized items were handed over to the Sibu Forest Department for further action and investigation under Section 96 of the Sarawak Forests Ordinance 2015.
FURTHER inspection revealed 350 logs of various sizes and one wood-cutting machine.
In Kuching, a premise was suspected to be storing various brands of untaxed alcoholic beverages. Five local men aged between 26 and 36 were arrested on June 23 where a total of 32,736 litres of liquor was seized, along with a lorry.
The estimated value of the seizure is RM1,457,648.00. The arrests and seizures were handed over to the Kota Samarahan District Police Headquarters for further action under Section 135(1)(D) of the Customs Act 1967, Section 15(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, and Section 13(1) of the Local Authorities Ordinance 1996.
Meanwhile he said on June 25, at about 12:45 pm, an intelligence team from Battalion 12 PGA Miri raided a premises in Miri suspected of storing diesel without a valid permit.
Two local men, aged 32 and 45, were arrested. The team discovered 39,300 litres of diesel and several storage tanks. A lorry was also seized.
The estimated market value of the seizure is RM486,065.00. The items and suspects were handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade (Miri branch) for further investigation under Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act.
In Lundu on June 28, three local men aged between 23 and 36 were arrested and a l transparent plastic packet containing 0.32 grams of suspected methamphetamine was found during the inspection.
A Toyota Hilux single cab vehicle was also seized. The estimated value of the seizure is RM50,100. The suspects and seized items were handed over to the Lundu District Police Headquarters for further investigation under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Ghazali said from January 1 to June, Sarawak PGA Brigade’s Op Taring operations have recorded a total seizure value of RM290.3 million from 236 cases.
These operations have led to the arrest of 355 individuals, comprising 264 locals and 91 foreigners, along with the seizure of 193 vehicles of various types. He vowed to continue fighting against the illegal activities.
By Connie Chieng