MIRI: Some 14,008 timbers, three forklifts, two lorries and several heavy machineries worth RM3 million were seized in an operation dubbed ‘Ops Libas’ conducted by Miri General Operations Force (GOF) on Thursday afternoon.
According to Miri PGA commanding officer, Supt Tan Hiap Seng, a GOF team of seven raided a sawmill that they believed had been operating illegally without permit for about a year.
“The operation was held at Long Banyok, Baram at 1.30pm on Thursday,” he said during a press conference yesterday.
He said they also seized chainsaws (2 units), an air compressor, generators (2 units), two excavators, sharpening machines and several bandsaws.
A local, aged 22, was detained to assist the police in their investigation. Tan said the suspect had failed to produce any valid documentations to show that the sawmill could operate.
According to Tan, the seizure is the biggest made of illegal timber production so far this year by Miri GOF.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the sawmill supplied nearby areas such as Long Lama and Lapok,” he opined.
The case is being investigated under the Sarawak Forest Ordinance 2015.
