The General Operations Force (PGA) has dismantled an illegal ice block production facility believed to be operating without proper approval and licensing during a joint operation with the Ministry of Health (MOH) Tawau and the Tawau Municipal Council (MPT) on Thursday.
According to a statement by Battalion 14 PGA Tawau, the 8am operation targeted Fresh Ice Enterprise following intelligence and surveillance conducted prior to the raid.
The operation was led by Intelligence Officer of Battalion 14 PGA Tawau, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Rafail Rabbahil, together with nine PGA personnel, five MOH officers led by Environmental Health Officer Mohd Rafi Osman, and MPT representatives.
Inspection at the premises led to the discovery of a 28-year-old local man believed to be the factory manager, along with equipment including a chiller containing ice blocks intended for distribution around Tawau and Semporna.
Further checks uncovered two ice block production machines, an ice crusher, two cooling towers, and water storage tanks used in the production process.
Records showed that while the premises had valid business and food hygiene licences, the operator failed to produce specific approval for ice block manufacturing and sales activities.
The premises was also found to be operating without displaying a business signboard as required under local authority regulations.
The total value of seized assets and equipment used in the operation was estimated at around RM2.1 million.
Following the raid, MOH Tawau issued a RM2,500 compound under Regulation 394(A)(4) of the Food Regulations 1985 and ordered the seizure of the factory and related equipment, while MPT also issued a warning notice to the premises owner.
