by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 23: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized smuggled items including cigarettes, imitation firearms, dangerous weapons, and protected wildlife worth an estimated RM6.82 million in three separate raids conducted in Sibu and Bau.
According to a news report by TVS, Sarawak Brigade Deputy Commander Assistant Commissioner Rosdi Inai stated that the first operation took place on May 21 in Sibu. During the raid, the 10th Battalion GOF team arrested a 44-year-old local man at a house used as a storage facility for duty-free cigarettes and weapons.
“The inspection found 7,600 cartons of white cigarettes, 6,788 cartons of kretek cigarettes, 435 boxes of various types of firecrackers, two imitation firearms, nine dangerous weapons and a four-wheel drive vehicle.
“The value of the seizure is estimated at RM6.3 million,” he said in a statement.
The second raid was conducted in Bau on May 19, resulting in the arrest of 11 individuals, including three foreign nationals. They were found to be storing 15,000 kilogrammes of rattan without a valid permit. Two lorries were also seized, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM490,000.
On the same day in Sibu, authorities arrested a 49-year-old local man for illegally possessing 35 wild animals of various species, 84 kilogrammes of coral, and eight pieces of equipment used for capturing and caging wildlife. The estimated value of these seized items was RM34,730.
All individuals arrested and items seized have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action under existing laws. – DayakDaily
