KUCHING, Sept 10 – The Sarawak Brigade General Operations Force (GOF) recorded 22 successful operations across various locations in Sarawak between September 1 and September 9, resulting in the seizure of illicit goods, illegal minerals, and equipment valued at RM163.83 million.

Sarawak Brigade GOF Commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Lim Bak Phai announced that the nine-day crackdown led to the arrest of 35 individuals, comprising both local citizens and foreign nationals. The enforcement successes were achieved through a series of coordinated operations, including Op Taring Alpha, Op Taring Bravo, Op Taring Delta, Op Taring Batas/Awas, Op Taring Chiller, Op Taring Libas, and Op Bersepadu Khazanah. Outlining the nature of the raids, Lim stated that “offences include the storage and sale of cigarettes and liquor that have not been approved by Customs, storage and distribution of frozen products without a permit, misappropriation of diesel, mining without a license, wood processing without a permit and immigration offences,”.

The largest single raid occurred under Op Bersepadu Khazanah in Bau, targeting illegal mineral mining activities operating without valid licensing. Elaborating on the massive raid, Lim highlighted that “the operation led to the arrest of two local men and the seizure of various types of stones, diesel, tanks, heavy machinery and various equipment with a total value estimated at RM120.84 million,”.

All detained individuals and seized assets have been transferred to the respective government departments and regulatory agencies for further legal action and formal investigations under existing statutory provisions. Reaffirming the force’s commitment to state security, Lim added that “the Sarawak Brigade will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with relevant enforcement agencies to combat illegal activities and protect the security, peace and interests of the state of Sarawak,”.

–NMT

Tags: Sarawak Brigade General Operations Force