MIRI: Four local men were arrested by Miri police for allegedly involved in stealing and selling batteries from telco transmission towers around Batu Niah and Bekenu.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said during the operation dubbed Ops Lusuh, police also recovered 65 telecommunication transmission batteries believed to be stolen by the suspects.
“All four suspects, aged between 17 to 27, were detained by a team of the Miri Criminal Investigation Department (CID) .
“The four suspects are the masterminds in theft activities, including a shop owner who had purchased the stolen batteries,” he told a group of local media during a press conference here yesterday.
Also present were Miri district police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu.
Meanwhile during Ops Lejang, Miri police detained five local men and three foreigners believed to be involved in stealing motorcycles in the Miri district.
“For the period January to February this year, eight cases were reported, compared to only six cases in the corresponding period (January/February 2022),” he said.
Following a tip-off, Miri District Criminal Investigation Division managed to arrest all suspects involved and recovered seven motorcycles believed to be stolen.
This case is being investigated under Section 379A of the Penal Code for stealing a motor vehicle which is punishable by imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than seven years and a fine, upon conviction.
All the suspects arrested in Op Lusuh and Op Lejang were charged in the Miri Court last Feb 27.
In a separate case, the 12th Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) Miri raided a premises in the Permyjaya area on March 17 on suspicion of being involved in selling contraband cigarettes and liquor.
They also arrested a local man believed to be a caretaker of the premises.
During the operation, GOF confiscated illicit liquor (240 bottles), 2,040 cans of beer of various brands and 1,740 cartons of cigarettes of various brands. The seized items are estimated to be worth RM344, 258.30.
The case is being investigated under Section 135 (1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967.
If convicted, the offender may be fined not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM100,00 whichever is greater and not more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000 whichever is greater, or imprisoned for not less than six months and not more than five years or both.
