Latest news with #OpBersepaduKhazanah
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes protected birds worth RM30,000 in east coast raids
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) has seized protected bird species worth about RM30,000 during wildlife enforcement operations across three east coast states this year. Southeast Brigade GOF commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the seizures were made between January and June under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. "Five people, including a man and a woman from Myanmar, were arrested in connection with the offences," he said. Reviewing the previous year's operations under Op Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK), Nik Ros Azhan said the brigade carried out 12 operations, resulting in nine cases with total seizures valued at RM94,110. He stressed that the GOF remains committed to protecting forest reserves and wildlife habitats, particularly in areas vulnerable to poaching and encroachment. "OBK on the east coast is a joint effort involving the GOF, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), and the Forestry Department.
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Kelantan police step up action against illegal gold panning
KOTA BARU: Illegal gold panning in Kelantan is still considered under control, with most activities carried out on a small scale, police said. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said such activities, largely confined to traditional gold panning methods, do not involve any major or organised syndicates. "The situation remains manageable. Most of these activities are minor in nature and limited to small groups," he said. Yusoff added that enforcement efforts would continue under Op Bersepadu Khazanah, with support from other government agencies. "The police, through the General Operations Force (GOF), will continue working with the Forestry Department and the Land and Mines Office to carry out joint operations to curb illegal activities," he said. Op Bersepadu Khazanah, launched in 2019, is a nationwide integrated operation aimed at protecting wildlife and preventing illegal activities in forest reserves, particularly in areas rich in biodiversity and prone to poaching.
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Over 1,100 wild animals seized in crackdown on poaching and trafficking
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 1,118 wild animals were seized through Op Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK) by the federal police Wildlife Crime Control Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) throughout 2023 and this year. A spokesman from the bureau said the seizures involved various species believed to be illegally traded or used in illegal hunting activities. "A total of 735 animals were seized in 2023, with a seizure value of RM8,087,100, while in 2024, a total of 383 animals were seized, valued at RM6,309,290.20," he said. He said that over the two-year period, a total of 89 people had been arrested, comprising 71 men and 18 women, comprising locals and foreigners from Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Vietnam. "In 2023, the arrests involved 34 men and five women, including Malaysians and seven Indonesians, while the following year saw the arrests of 28 men and 10 local women, along with several foreigners. "Among the items seized were five firearm barrels, 78 rounds of ammunition, and 30 cages believed to be used in hunting and wildlife trafficking," he said. He said statistics showed that wildlife poaching and smuggling activities remain rampant and have not shown any signs of decline. "We believe many of these cases are orchestrated by local residents who rely on forest products as a source of illegal income. "Operations will be intensified with the cooperation of various enforcement agencies to ensure that national treasures are not further looted by syndicates and poachers. "The WCB/PSK Bureau will continue to play a role in identifying syndicate networks and taking strict action against those involved," he added.
Barnama
27-05-2025
- Barnama
GOF Raids Sawmills Across Three States, Seizes Over RM97mln In Timber And Goods
KUANTAN, 27 May (Bernama) -- The Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF), in collaboration with the Forestry Department, has seized timber and related goods worth over RM97 million following 32 raids on sawmills in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang between Feb 11 and May 20. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said the first two phases of 'Op Sawmill', a targeted initiative under the broader 'Op Bersepadu Khazanah', involved raids on 18 premises namely two in Terengganu and 16 in Kelantan. These led to the arrest of 53 individuals and the seizure of timber and equipment worth RM66.5 million. Phase three, he said, covered 14 raids on seven premises in Pahang, and four each in Terengganu and Kelantan, with 45 more arrests and RM30.84 million in goods confiscated. He added that 18 Malaysians had been released on bail, while 27 foreign nationals remained in custody. Those detained included six Myanmar nationals, seven Bangladeshis, 12 Indonesians, and one each from Nepal and India. Azmi said 11 offences were identified during the operations, with investigations conducted under several laws, including the Immigration Act 1959/63, National Forestry Act 1984, Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985, and the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Employee Amenities Act. He noted that while some premises held valid operating licences, several had breached legal conditions. 'In one case, early intelligence suggested non-compliance, but by the time of the raid, the operator had renewed their licence and rectified the issues, so no action was taken,' he said. -- BERNAMA
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- Borneo Post
GOF Sarawak seizes RM6.82 mln in contraband, wildlife during ops in Sibu, Bau
A handout photo shows a GOF personnel inspecting a caged wildlife seized during the raid in Sibu. KUCHING (May 22): The General Operations Force (GOF) Sarawak Brigade has successfully crippled three criminal activities in recent operations under Op Taring Alpha/Charlie and Op Bersepadu Khazanah, with total seizures valued at around RM6.82 million. Sarawak GOF Brigade deputy commander, ACP Rosdi Inai, said the first operation, conducted on May 21 at a residence in Sibu, led to the arrest of a 44-year-old local man and the confiscation of various contraband items and weapons including imitation firearms. 'The seized items included 7,600 cartons of white cigarettes, 6,788 cartons of kretek cigarettes, 435 boxes of firecrackers, two imitation firearms, nine dangerous weapons and a four-wheel drive vehicle with an estimated value of RM6,297,990,' he said in a statement today. The case is being investigated under multiple laws, including the Customs Act 1967 and the Arms Act 1960. In a second operation on May 19, GOF personnel raided a premises in Bau believed to be used for the illegal storage of 15,000kg of rattan. 'On May 19, a team from the GOF Sarawak Brigade Headquarters raided a premises in Bau suspected of being used to store rattan without a permit. 'Eleven men, including three foreigners, were arrested, and 15,000kg of rattan along with two lorries were seized. The total seizure is estimated at RM490,000,' he said. A handout photo shows illegal rattan seized during one of the raids. The case is currently under investigation by the Bau District Police Headquarters (IPD) and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998 and the Immigration Act. The third operation, also conducted on May 19 in Sibu, targeted illegal wildlife possession. 'In that operation, a 49-year-old local man was arrested for possessing 35 wild animals, 84kg of coral, and captive equipment without a permit. 'The seizure is estimated at RM34,730 and the case has been handed over to SFC Sibu and is being investigated under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998,' said Rosdi. He also revealed that from January 1 to May 22, Op Taring operations have resulted in seizures worth RM243 million across 188 cases, leading to 297 arrests and the confiscation of 178 vehicles. 'This operation demonstrates GOF's ongoing commitment to combat smuggling and crimes related to the country's natural resources,' he said. contraband GOF illegal Op Taring
