The General Operations Force (GOF) Sarawak Brigade seized contraband and other illicit goods with a combined value of RM40.39 million during 24 Op Taring raids conducted across the state from Aug 1 to 13.
Sarawak Brigade commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the operations were carried out in 11 districts, namely Lundu, Padawan, Bintulu, Miri, Kota Samarahan, Betong, Bau, Serian, Kuching, Sri Aman and Sarikei.
The largest seizure came under Op Taring Chiller, which accounted for RM33.9 million of the total haul. Enforcement teams confiscated 573.85 tonnes of frozen products, including chicken, beef, fish, mutton, squid and crabs, as well as live chickens.
Authorities also seized a cold storage facility, forklift, lorry, processing machinery and other equipment believed to have been used in the activities.
Lim said 12 individuals were arrested in Bintulu, Kota Samarahan, Kuching, Bau, Miri, Sibu, Sri Aman, Padawan and Serian during the operation.
The cases have since been handed over to the Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services for further investigation under the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.
Meanwhile, Op Taring Bravo, which focused on the misuse and illegal storage of diesel, resulted in the arrest of one individual in Betong.
A raid on a premises found 7,500 litres of diesel being stored without valid permits. Enforcement officers also seized two skid tanks, two heavy cranes, barrels and fuel-pumping equipment, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM1.15 million.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Under Op Taring Alpha, five individuals were arrested in Miri, Kota Samarahan, Sri Aman and Sarikei for allegedly storing and selling cigarettes and alcoholic beverages that had not been subjected to customs duties.
The seizures under the operation were valued at RM1.94 million, with investigations conducted under the Customs Act 1967.
Nine people were also arrested under Op Taring Batas/Awas in Lundu, Bau and Serian for allegedly entering Malaysia without valid travel documents or permits.
Enforcement teams additionally discovered controlled and subsidised goods abandoned along roadsides, including 1,080kg of sugar, six liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks and 221kg of cooking oil. Nine mobile phones and two vehicles were also seized, bringing the total value of the haul to RM158,099.
Op Taring Libas, meanwhile, led to three arrests in Padawan, Kuching and Kota Samarahan over alleged illegal timber processing and collection without proper documentation.
The seized items comprised processed and unprocessed timber, a forklift, a lorry and various processing machinery, with a combined value of RM3.06 million. The cases have been referred to the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) for investigation under the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation Ordinance 1973.
Separately, Op Bersepadu Khazanah resulted in one arrest in Padawan for alleged illegal possession of protected wildlife.
The operation led to the seizure of 7.6086kg of swiftlet nests and related processing equipment valued at RM125,548.80. The case has been handed over to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) for investigation under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.
The series of operations highlights the continued enforcement focus on contraband, controlled goods, illegal entry, timber offences and wildlife crimes across Sarawak, with cases being referred to the relevant agencies for further action.
