KOTA KINABALU: Twelve people were detained and over RM41mil in materials, vehicles and equipment seized in a major crackdown on suspected illegal mining in Sabah.
The three-day Ops Gali Mega, which began on Wednesday (Aug 19), targeted six locations across Kota Belud, Tenom, Sipitang and Papar.
All 12 suspects, aged between 35 and 69, are Malaysians, including one woman.
The joint operation involved the Sabah General Operations Force (GOF) Brigade, the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department, and local authorities.
Among the raided sites was a location along Sungai Kadamaian in Kota Belud.
Sabah GOF Brigade commander Datuk Nor Omar Sappi said the operation followed public complaints regarding excavation and mining activities conducted without valid permits.
“We conducted intelligence gathering on these mining activities for about three months,” he told reporters on Friday (Aug 21).
He urged the public to continue reporting suspected illegal sand-mining operations to the authorities.
“If there is any information on activities that violate the law involving sand mining, please channel it to the police so that appropriate action can be taken,” he said.
The total value of the seized assets stood at RM41,238,325, including more than RM12.3mil worth of earth and mineral materials.
Officers also seized nearly RM8.9mil in vehicles, RM16.34mil in heavy machinery, and over RM3.65mil in specialised mining equipment.
All suspects and confiscated assets were handed over to relevant enforcement agencies for further action.
The cases are being investigated under the Sabah Land Ordinance, the Environment Protection Enactment 2002, and local authority licensing regulations.
