KUCHING: The Sarawak General Operations Force (PGA) Brigade has recorded six successful operations under Op Taring Awas/Batas, Op Taring Bravo and Op Taring Chiller, with total seizures amounting to RM1.6 million.
Sarawak PGA Brigade Commander, SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang, said the operations were carried out in different parts of Sarawak between 7 and 11 July, targeting illegal storage and transportation of frozen food, subsidised diesel and unapproved medicinal products.
He said in the first operation under Op Taring Chiller on 8 July, a team from Battalion 10 PGA Sibu raided a Toyota Hilux and a premises in Sibu, where they arrested a local man and an Indonesian man, aged 24 and 40. A total of 238 kilograms of frozen food without valid permits was found, along with the seizure of the vehicle and a forklift. The estimated value of the items seized was RM479,099.
“The suspects and all items seized were handed over to the Veterinary Department and Sibu District Police Headquarters for further action,” he said.
Dr Che Ghazali said the second case under Op Taring Bravo took place on 10 July in Kuching, where a team from Battalion 11 PGA Kuching arrested two local men, aged 28 and 33, for storing 4,500 litres of subsidised diesel without a valid permit. A Nissan tanker, IBC tanks, skid tanks, hoses, and fuel pumps were also seized. The estimated value was RM381,060.
The third case under Op Taring Awas/Batas was carried out in Bau on 11 July. A 62-year-old local man was arrested for possessing 4,032 boxes of unapproved herbal and medicinal products in a Land Rover. The total value of the seizure was RM305,161.
On 9 July in Kota Samarahan, the fourth success under Op Taring Bravo saw the arrest of two local men aged 26 and 32. Authorities seized 18,000 litres of diesel and a Toyota Hino tanker from a premises believed to be storing fuel illegally. The total seizure was valued at RM218,840.
In another case on 7 July, under Op Taring Awas/Batas, a local man aged 40 was arrested in Bau for transporting 350 boxes of frozen food without a valid permit. A lorry used in the transport was also seized. The value of the seizure was RM209,600.
The sixth operation took place in Lundu on 9 July, where a 34-year-old local man was arrested after 230 litres of diesel and ten jerry cans were found in a Toyota Hilux. The value of the seizure was RM81,155.50.
“All cases have been handed over to the relevant authorities including the Ministry of Domestic Trade (KPDN), the Veterinary Department and the State Health Department for further investigation and action,” said Dr Che Ghazali.
He added that from 1 January to 14 July 2025, the Sarawak PGA Brigade recorded 265 cases under Op Taring, leading to the arrest of 373 individuals, comprising 277 locals and 96 foreigners. A total of 205 vehicles were seized, with overall seizure value amounting to RM293.4 million.
By Connie Chieng