RM1 mln in goods seized, three arrested for suspected smuggling

Seen are PGA officers inspecting one of the lorries.

BAU, Oct 17: Three local men aged between 33 and 44 were arrested for attempting to smuggle goods worth about RM1,010,000.

The arrests were made by the 11th Battalion of General Operations Force (PGA) during ‘Op Batas’ along the Malaysia-Indonesia border in Serikin, on Oct 16.

PGA Kuching Commanding Officer Superintendent Rosdi Inai said that the operation was conducted based on the information and intelligence received. The operation involved personnel from the PGA 11th Battalion Intelligence Unit, led by ASP Mohd Mazlan Mohd Arif, together with two officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday afternoon.

Rosdi revealed that the team had stopped three lorries and upon inspection, found a total of 165 sacks of used clothing (bundle), 400 sacks of animal food, 2,400 boxes of assorted beverages and 115 boxes of assorted food, without any legal documentation.

The three lorries that were seized.

“This is an offence under the Section 135 (1) (e) of the Customs Act 1967.

“Based on the information received, it is believed that the goods were about to be smuggled into the neighboring country due to high demand and also prices there,” he added.

The three suspects and the goods were handed over to the Bau District Police Headquarters (IPD) for further investigation.

Rosdi also urged the local community to continue to provide information and work together with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in dealing with any crime, especially involving cross-border activity. — DayakDaily