KUNAK: The 22nd Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) based here arrested 20 individuals in 16 raids conducted throughout June, with the total value of seized goods amounting to RM2,962,048.
Of those arrested, 19 were men and one was a woman. The detainees comprised 12 Malaysians and eight foreign nationals.
In a statement, PGA Kunak said the arrests and seizures were the result of intelligence-led operations carried out by its Intelligence Branch under Op Tiris 4.0 and Op Taring Esszone, involving C Company of the 22nd Battalion.
The statement said the seizures included various items such as drugs, fighting cocks, untaxed cigarettes, illegally harvested and unpermitted forest products, protected wildlife (pangolins) and controlled goods including gas cylinders and petrol/diesel, as well as vehicles used in the offences.
Under Op Tiris 4.0, six cases involving offences under the Supply Control Act 1961 were handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Semporna Branch for further action.
Other offences investigated involved violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Sabah Animal Enactment 2015, Customs Act 1967, Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and Sabah Forest Enactment 1968.
The battalion also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of various enforcement agencies, including the Semporna District Police Headquarters, KPDN Semporna, the Veterinary Services Departments of Semporna and Kunak, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Semporna), the Sabah Forestry Department and the Sabah Wildlife Department, which participated in the enforcement operations.
“PGA Battalion 22 Kunak remains committed to enforcing existing laws and extends its appreciation to members of the public who continue to provide valuable information,” the statement said.
