Latest news with #CheGhazaliCheAwang
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Sarawak GOF seizes RM5.5 million in illegal logging, liquor, diesel, drugs
KUCHING: The Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) confiscated goods worth RM5,497,813 in four separate operations targeting illegal logging, liquor, diesel, and drugs between June 23 and 28. The operations, named Op Taring Alpha, Op Taring Bravo, Op Taring Awas, and Op Libas, were conducted in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, and Lundu. SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang, GOF Commander, confirmed the seizures in a statement today. The largest haul came from Op Libas in Sibu on June 24, where authorities raided an illegal logging site, arresting three men aged 39 to 57. A total of 350 logs and a wood-cutting machine were seized, with an estimated value of RM3.504 million. In Op Taring Alpha on June 23, GOF investigators raided a premises in Kuching, seizing 32,736 litres of untaxed liquor and arresting five men aged 26 to 36. A lorry was also confiscated, bringing the total seizure value to RM1,457,648. Meanwhile, Op Taring Bravo in Miri on June 25 led to the arrest of two men aged 32 and 45, along with the seizure of 39,300 litres of diesel stored without a permit. A storage tank and a lorry were also taken, with the total seizure valued at RM486,065. The final operation, Op Taring Awas in Lundu on June 28, saw three men aged 23 to 36 arrested after GOF officers found 0.32 grams of suspected methamphetamine in their vehicle. The total seizure, including the car, was worth RM50,100. From January 1 to June 30, Sarawak GOF recorded total seizures worth RM290.3 million, involving 236 cases and 355 arrests. Among those detained were 264 locals and 91 foreigners, with 193 vehicles impounded.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Over RM5mil in seizures by Sarawak GOF's crackdown on illegal activities
KUCHING: The Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) recorded seizures worth RM5,497,813 from four operations carried out last week, involving illegal logging, liquor, diesel and drugs. Its commander, Senior Asst Comm Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang, said that the four successful operations - Op Taring Alpha, Op Taring Bravo, Op Taring Awas, and Op Libas - were carried out between June 23 and 28 in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, and Lundu. He said the biggest haul was recorded by the 10th Battalion of the Sibu GOF, during Op Libas on June 24, where an illegal logging site was raided, resulting in the arrest of three men, aged 39 to 57, and the seizure of 350 logs. "Also seized was a wood-cutting machine, bringing the estimated total value of the seized items to RM3.504mil, based on market price,' he said in a statement on Monday (June 30). Under Op Taring Alpha on June 23, the GOF Investigation Branch raided premises here and seized 32,736 litres of various brands of liquor without customs duty approval, in addition to arresting five local men, aged between 26 and 36. "Also seized was a lorry, and the estimated total value of the seizure was RM1,457,648, according to market price. Through Op Taring Bravo, in Miri on June 25, a team from the GOF Miri raided premises in the district, arresting two local men, aged 32 and 45, and seizing 39,300 litres of diesel stored without a permit. A diesel storage tank and a lorry were also seized during the operation, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM486,065. Under Op Taring Awas on June 28, a team from the 11th Battalion of the Kuching GOF arrested three local men, aged between 23 and 36, in a vehicle in Lundu, and seized a transparent packet containing a substance believed to be methamphetamine, weighing 0.32g. The total value of the seizure, including the vehicle, was RM50,100. He said that, from Jan 1 to June 30, Sarawak GOF recorded total seizures amounting to RM290.3mil, involving 236 cases and 355 arrests. A total of 264 locals and 91 foreigners were arrested, with 193 vehicles of various types impounded.- Bernama
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Over RM5 million seized in Sarawak GOF's crackdown on illegal activities
KUCHING: The Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) recorded seizures worth RM5,497,813 from four operations carried out last week, involving illegal logging, liquor, diesel and drugs. Its Commander, SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang, said that the four successful operations - Op Taring Alpha, Op Taring Bravo, Op Taring Awas, and Op Libas - were carried out between June 23 and 28 in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, and Lundu. He said the biggest haul was recorded by the 10th Battalion of the Sibu GOF, during Op Libas on June 24, where an illegal logging site was raided, resulting in the arrest of three men, aged 39 to 57, and the seizure of 350 logs. "Also seized was a wood-cutting machine, bringing the estimated total value of the seized items to RM3.504 million, based on market price," he said in a statement today (June 30). Under Op Taring Alpha on June 23, the GOF Investigation Branch raided premises here and seized 32,736 litres of various brands of liquor without customs duty approval, in addition to arresting five local men, aged between 26 and 36. "Also seized was a lorry, and the estimated total value of the seizure was RM1,457,648, according to market price. Through Op Taring Bravo, in Miri on June 25, a team from the GOF Miri raided premises in the district, arresting two local men, aged 32 and 45, and seizing 39,300 litres of diesel stored without a permit. A diesel storage tank and a lorry were also seized during the operation, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM486,065. Under Op Taring Awas on June 28, a team from the 11th Battalion of the Kuching GOF arrested three local men, aged between 23 and 36, in a vehicle in Lundu, and seized a transparent packet containing a substance believed to be methamphetamine, weighing 0.32g (grammes). The total value of the seizure, including the vehicle, was RM50,100. He said that, from Jan 1 to June 30, Sarawak GOF recorded total seizures amounting to RM290.3 million, involving 236 cases and 355 arrests.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Borneo Post
General Operations Force ops across Sarawak cripple criminal activities, total seizures around RM5.5 mln
A GOF Sibu personnel member inspects the timber seized. KUCHING (June 30): The General Operations Force (GOF) Sarawak Brigade has crippled four criminal activities through Op Taring Alpha, Op Taring Bravo, Op Taring Awas, and Op Libas, where the total seizures reached around RM5.5 million. GOF Sarawak Brigade commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said the biggest haul was during Op Libas conducted in Sibu on June 24, where a team from Sibu GOF Battalion 10 raided a location suspected to be conducting illegal logging without valid permits. 'During the raid, the team apprehended three suspects aged 39 to 57, found 350 timbers of various sizes at the location, and seized a wood-cutting machine. 'The seizures amounted to RM3.5 million,' he said in a statement. Che Ghazali said the seized items were handed over to the Sibu Division Forest Department for further action and investigation under Section 96 of the Sarawak Forestry Ordinance 2015. In a second operation on June 23, GOF Kuching personnel raided a premises here believed to be used to store contraband liquor. Che Ghazali said five men aged 26 to 36 were arrested and 32,736 litres of alcohol as well as a lorry worth a total of RM1.45 million were seized. 'The seized items were handed over to Kota Samarahan District police headquarters and the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(D) of the Customs Act 1967, Section 15(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, and Section 13 (1) of the Local Authorities Ordinance 1996,' he said. The third operation conducted in Miri on June 25 saw a team from GOF Miri Battalion 12 raid a premises believed to be used to store diesel without valid permits. Two men aged 32 and 45 were arrested, while 39,300 litres of diesel and a lorry were confiscated. The seizures valued at RM486, 065 were handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living for further action under Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961. The fourth operation, conducted on June 28 in Lundu, saw the arrests of three men aged 23 to 26 for drug possession and abuse. The raiding team confiscated a plastic packet weighing 0.32 grammes containing crystal granules believed to be methamphetamine, and a single-cab four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle, resulting in seizures valued at RM50,100. The case had been handed over to Lundu District police headquarters and further investigation under Section 12 (2) and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Che Ghazali added that from Jan 1 to June 30, GOF Sarawak operations resulted in seizures worth RM290.3 million in 236 cases, which led to 355 arrests and 193 vehicles being impounded. Che Ghazali Che Awang general operations force GOF Sarawak Brigade lead
Borneo Post
24-04-2025
- Borneo Post
RM3.5 mln in contraband seized in GOF's Ops Taring along Sarawak-Kalimantan border
A GOF personnel questions the van driver after he was caught with 3,400 cartons of white cigarettes in Bau. – Sarawak GOF photo KUCHING (April 24): The General Operations Force's (GOF) continued crackdown on smuggling activities along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border has resulted in six major successes involving seizures totalling an estimated RM3.5 million. Sarawak GOF commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said Ops Taring Alpha and Ops Taring Awas/Batas operations conducted from April 21-23 saw several arrests and seizure of various contraband goods. The seized goods included untaxed cigarettes, red onions, large onions, frozen food products, frozen meat, and air rifles—all smuggled via unregulated routes along the border. 'The operations were the result of close collaboration between intelligence units, infantry battalions, and other enforcement agencies. 'This effort reflects the ongoing commitment of the Sarawak GOF in tackling cross-border smuggling that threatens national security and stability, while also protecting the local economy from the influx of illegal goods,' he said in a statement today. He said the first case involved the seizure of 3,400 cartons of white cigarettes of various brands and a van in Bau, valued at a total of RM1.77 million, with a 58-year-old local man detained to assist in investigations. The second case saw three local men aged between 42 and 48 detained at the Lundu border with 900 sacks of large onions hidden in three lorries, with total seizures valued at RM961,500. 'The third and fourth cases, also in Bau, saw two men arrested with 800 boxes of frozen food products worth RM427,800, and another man arrested with 400 sacks of red onions valued at RM360,500,' he said. For the fifth case, Che Ghazali said it involved the seizure of 60 boxes of frozen meat worth RM48,000 in Tebedu, while the sixth case saw a cache of air rifles and ammunition worth an estimated RM18,300 seized in Serian. The cases have been handed over to the respective police stations for further investigations under the Customs Act 1967, Control of Supplies Act 1961, Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, and Arms Act 1960. Che Ghazali also informed that from Jan 1 this year up until today, Ops Taring operations conducted by the Sarawak GOF has recorded 108 cases, involving the arrest of 187 locals and 69 foreigners, and RM219 million worth of seizures including 152 vehicles. 'We will continue to intensify our operations in a comprehensive and coordinated manner along the state's border to eliminate smuggling activities entirely,' he said. borders GOF kalimantan Ops Taring smuggling
