By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Nov 7: The 12th Battalion General Operations Force (GOF) has seized 352 tonnes of smuggled rice valued at RM1.34 million.
Its commanding officer Supt Tan Hiap Seng said the 7,057 gunny sacks of rice, weighing about 50kg each, were believed to have been brought from neighbouring countries.
“The raid was a success following a two-week surveillance on a warehouse at Jalan Primula 1A, Piasau. The same warehouse was raided last December.
“This is the biggest haul for smuggled rice by GOF Miri this year,” he told reporters after the raid at the warehouse here today.
Tan said upon inspection, the premise failed to present the necessary document or other pertinent information on the items. The sacks were imprinted with Padiberas Nasional Bhd’s (Bernas) logo to avoid detection by the authorities.
During the raid, dubbed “Ops Libas”, enforcement officers also detained a caretaker, the same suspect apprehended during last year’s operation.
“Officers from Bernas has confirmed that the logo used on the sacks was not genuine,” he said.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Padi and Rice Act, 1994, which carries a maximum fine of RM25,000. — DayakDaily
