By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 15: The Sarawak General Operations Force (PGA) Brigade seized goods and equipment worth RM40.39 million in six enforcement operations across 11 districts between Aug 1 and 13.
In a TVS news report, Sarawak PGA Brigade Commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the operations involved 24 cases covering a range of offences, from the unauthorised storage and distribution of frozen products and illegal timber activities to smuggling, misuse of controlled goods and possession of protected wildlife without valid documentation.
The operations spanned 11 districts, including Lundu, Padawan, Bintulu, Miri, Kota Samarahan, Betong, Bau, Serian, Kuching, Sri Aman and Sarikei.
Op Taring Chiller accounted for more than four-fifths of the total seizure value, yielding RM33.97 million from 12 cases involving the storage and distribution of frozen products without valid permits.
Among the items seized were 573.85 tonnes of chicken, meat, fish, goat, squid and crab, alongside live chickens, a cold storage facility, forklifts, lorries and processing equipment.
Authorities also seized live chickens, a cold storage facility, forklifts, lorries and processing equipment in the operation.
Meanwhile, Op Taring Libas contributed RM3.06 million in seizures from three cases involving the processing and accumulation of timber without valid documents or permits.
Op Taring Alpha followed with RM1.94 million in seizures from four cases involving cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, a lorry and two vehicles with outstanding Customs duties.
In Betong, Op Taring Bravo resulted in the seizure of 7,500 litres of diesel, two skid tanks and two heavy cranes, with the total haul valued at RM1.15 million.
The remaining operations involved a range of controlled goods and wildlife-related offences.
Op Taring Batas/Awas recorded three cases involving RM158,099 worth of seizures, including sugar, gas, cooking oil, mobile phones and vehicles.
Separately, Op Bersepadu Khazanah in Padawan involved one case concerning the possession of protected wildlife without valid documentation. The seizure comprised 7.6086kg of swiftlet nests and processing equipment valued at RM125,548.80.
The cases have been handed over to relevant agencies, including the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and Sarawak Forestry Corporation, for further investigation and action.
Lim said Sarawak PGA would continue intelligence-led and integrated enforcement operations to curb smuggling, misuse of controlled goods, the entry of undocumented foreigners and other illegal activities throughout the State. — DayakDaily
