KOTA KINABALU: A smuggling ring has been dismantled with the arrest of 33 suspects in a series of operations.
Contraband and suspected smuggled goods worth approximately RM8.8mil were seized in these raids.
Sabah General Operations Force commander Datuk Abdul Rani Alias said the suspects were believed to be smuggling subsidised goods such as diesel and petrol.
They were also believed to have sold frozen food without the halal certificate and proper documents, as well as other crimes in the state, he added.
The suspects, including one local woman, were detained in 20 operations conducted from Feb 1 to Feb 14.
They comprise six Indonesians, seven Filipinos, and 20 Malaysians.
“With these raids, we believe we have crushed a smuggling syndicate,” Abdul Rani added.
He said a variety of items were seized, including diesel, petrol, alcoholic beverages, crude palm oil, syabu drug, cigarettes, sugar and frozen meat.
Abdul Rani assured the public that the force would continue to crack down on smuggling activities and other crimes. Ongoing operations include Op Taring Eszzone, Op Kontraban, Op Bersepadu Khazanah, and Road Check Point.
He also urged the public to assist security forces in their bid to fight crime and protect the sovereignty of the nation by being the eyes and ears of the authorities.
