By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 28: The Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) Brigade has dealt a major blow to fuel smuggling syndicates, seizing more than 342,000 litres of subsidised diesel worth about RM1.8 million in Ops Tiris, carried out at several locations across the State between March 16 and May 26.
Sarawak PGA Brigade Commander senior assistant commissioner Lim Bak Phai said the operation also uncovered large-scale storage, transfer and distribution activities involving controlled goods, with assets and equipment worth nearly RM17.5 million seized, including tanker lorries, heavy machinery and skid tanks.
“As a result of the operation, the Sarawak Brigade GOF recorded 58 cases and 69 arrests. Among the key successes was the seizure of a tugboat in Bintulu used to store 20,000 litres of diesel without a valid permit,” he said in a statement, as reported by TVS on Wednesday (May 27).
The operation also led to the confiscation of more than five tonnes of subsidised cooking oil worth nearly RM40,000 and over seven tonnes of coarse sugar worth more than RM31,000, bringing the total value of seizures, including vehicles, to nearly RM950,000.
He added that syndicates were found to be using various modus operandi, including illegal storage, transfer and distribution of subsidised diesel.
“These activities are believed to be linked to a controlled goods diversion network in the State,” he said.
Lim said all suspects and seized items have been handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak for further investigation under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961. — DayakDaily
