Smuggled goods, assets worth over RM3 mln seized by GOF

KUCHING: The General Operations Force ( GOF) made seizures worth more than RM3 million of smuggled goods and assets in two separate raids on Jan 6.

GOF Sarawak commander SAC Mancha Ata, in a statement yesterday, said the first case took place at an automotive repair workshop in Mile 13, Jalan Kuching-Serian around 1am.

“There, two suspicious bonded trucks and a lorry were checked which uncovered that all three were loaded with illicit cigarettes and alcoholic beverages believed to be smuggled into the country,” said Mancha.

From the inspection, GOF personnel seized 5,000 cartons of various cigarette brands, 1,610 crates of beer and 87 boxes of bottled beer of different brands.

Five local men were also arrested and handed over to the Padawan District police headquarters for further investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

The goods and the lorry were later estimated to be valued at RM1,348,861.64 (including tax).

The second case took place at a house believed to be used as a storage facility for smuggled goods at King’s Park, Jalan Bintulu-Miri.

According to Mancha, the premises was raided at 5.45pm which saw the seizure of 2,076,600 sticks of kretek cigarettes worth RM1,700,352 (including tax).

The seizure was made under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

All of the seized items have been handed over to Miri District police headquarters for further action.

FIERY END A firefighter destroys a beehive dangling about 15 feet from the ground on a tree near Kampung Patarikan, Jalan Merapok in Lawas on Wednesday. Zone 6 Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong said Bravo team, comprising three Lawas Fire Station personnel, went to the site 36km from the station after receiving a report at 8.30pm on the beehive found behind the complainant’s house. The operation ended at 9.46pm.

Some of the items seized from the three vehicles at Mile 13.