adminLAHAD DATU: The General Operations Force (GOF) of the 17th Battalion, Lahad Datu, recorded a significant success when it seized various items worth more than RM4.1 million throughout March in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE).
During the period in question, 13 raids were successfully carried out through Op Taring ESSZONE and several special intelligence operations, leading to the arrest of 18 individuals, including eight foreigners.
The confiscation involves various serious offences, including drug possession, smuggling of untaxed cigarettes, illegal firecrackers, misappropriation of controlled goods and trade in protected wildlife.
PGA Lahad Datu, in a statement, informed that the operation was being carried out aggressively and continuously based on intelligence and information from the public to combat increasingly complex criminal activities in the area.
Among the biggest successes was recorded on March 12 when two individuals were arrested on Jalan Dam along with the seizure of 148 protected wild birds and 64 cages, with a total value estimated at RM245,500.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department.
In a separate raid on March 18 in Kampung Burung, two local men were arrested with unpermitted firecrackers worth almost RM500,000, including two lorries used for transportation purposes.
Meanwhile, on March 25, a foreign man was arrested in Felda Sahabat 2 after being found in possession of syabu and hundreds of packs of kretek cigarettes which were believed to have been smuggled into the area.
All arrests are currently being investigated under various legal provisions, including the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, the Customs Act 1967 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
For the first quarter of this year, PGA Lahad Datu recorded a total seizure value of RM6.6 million, reflecting the security forces’ continued commitment to maintaining safety and security in the ESSZONE.
-Agency
