MIRI: The 12th Battalion General Operations Force seized 352 tonnes of smuggled rice with an estimated value of RM 1.34 million on Wednesday from a warehouse here at Jalan Primula 1A, Piasau.
One male suspect, aged 31, was also detained during the raid known as ‘Ops Libas’ at 2pm.
“This would be the biggest haul for smuggled rice made by GOF Miri so far,” said commanding officer Supt Tan Hiap Seng during a press conference yesterday.
A total of 7,057 gunny sacks of rice, believed to have been brought in from neighbouring countries, were recovered inside the warehouse.
He added upon inspection, the premise failed to present the necessary documents or other pertinent information on the items.
For the record, the same warehouse was raided last year in December.
Tan added that to avoid being detected by the authorities, the sacks were imprinted with the Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) logo.
“Officers from Bernas have confirmed that the logo used is not genuine,” he said.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994, which carries a maximum fine of RM25,000.
