KOTA SAMARAHAN: The General Operations Force (GOF) 11th Battalion has seized a cache of duty-not-paid cigarettes, beers and liquors worth over RM3 million in a covert operation last Friday (Jan 3).
GOF Sarawak Brigade Commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said that the operation, codenamed ‘Op Taring Alpha’, was carried out by the battalion’s intelligence branch at around 11 am.
He added that the raid targeted a premises suspected of being a storage hub for uncustomed cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
“Inspections uncovered a total of 2,472 cartons of cigarettes, 11,732.5 litres of beer and 2,137.9 litres of assorted liquors stored inside the premises.
“Based on market prices, the seized goods are valued at RM3,023,488.75.
“Two local women, aged 30 and 33, were arrested at the scene in connection with the contraband,” he said in a statement.
The suspects and seized goods were handed over to Kota Samarahan district police headquarters (IPD) for further action.
Che Ghazali added that the case is being investigated under Section 135 (1)(D) of the Customs Act 1967.
He noted that the first three days of 2025 have already seen GOF Sarawak cracking down on three cases, seizing goods worth RM9.3 million.
These operations also resulted in the arrests of four men and two women, and confiscation of two vehicles.
