LUNDU: Alert General Operations Force (GOF) personnel foiled two attempts to smuggle rice and frozen food out of the state recently.
The first success was recorded on March 19 with the discovery of more than six tonnes of white rice.
GOF Sarawak Brigade commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said the operation codenamed ‘Op Taring Awas/Batas’ also led to the arrest of a 53-year-old local man.
At about 6.05pm that day, a GOF team from the 11th Battalion conducted an inspection at the Sarawak-Indonesia border after suspecting smuggling activity on an illegal route.
“The team stopped a lorry driven by the suspect and found over six tonnes of white rice kept in the back of the lorry.
“The rice and lorry were confiscated,” he said, adding that the estimated seizure value amounted to RM221,600.
The suspect and seized items were later handed over to the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board (SPRB) for further investigation under the Control of Paddy and Rice Act 1994.
Two days later (Mar 21), the GOF 10th Battalion intercepted another smuggling attempt in Lubok Antu, preventing frozen meat and fishes from being illegally transported out of Sarawak.
The operation, conducted at 4.45pm, resulted in the arrest of two Indonesian men, aged 43 and 47, who were caught transporting 152kg of frozen food in a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
Che Ghazali stated the suspects along with the seized goods and vehicle, valued at RM104,607, were handed over to Lubok Antu police for further action.
“The case is being investigated under Section 9(1)(3) and Section 17(1) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 and Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953,” he said.
