DCP Sanjos (middle) presenting a letter of commendation to GOF personnel.
KOTA KINABALU: The General Operations Force (GOF) has managed to thwart smuggling attempts involving items worth some RM627,000 at the Sapi Nangoh road checkpoint in east coast Beluran district this year to date.
Among the GOF 20th Battalion's successes was stopping an attempt to smuggle out frozen chicken and beef worth RM563,800, where two suspects were also arrested.
“Besides that, they also detained an individual (illegally) found with 3,600 litres of crude palm oil worth RM61,800,” Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Deputy Comm Victor Sanjos said on Friday (June 30).
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He said the first case was investigated under Section 135(1)(D) of the Customs Act 1967 for illegal possession and the second under the Malaysia Palm Oil Board Act 1998 (Act 582).
“Well done to the 17 officers and personnel of the 20th Battalion in Beluran, which is under the coordination of Esscom, for thwarting the smuggling of contraband and controlled items at the Sapi Nangoh checkpoint.
DCP Sanjos said the achievements by security forces in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) were a result of the detailed coordination and close collaboration between agencies led by Esscom.
He said this was vital to ensure the Esszone was safe and secure, besides preventing leakages in the country’s income caused by smuggling.
As such, he said, Esscom was appreciative of the efforts put in by state and federal agencies and departments that worked hard at such checkpoints.
He added that the exercise by the GOF, known as Ops Taring at Sapi Nangoh, was also part of government efforts through Esscom to enhance operations by the army, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and police in the Esszone.
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“I am aware that asset constraints and the existence of rat trails are big challenges for security forces in this zone carrying out crime prevention patrols.
“Esscom will (draw up) the best solution to be presented to the government," he added.
DCP Sanjos said Esscom took into account the welfare as well as motivation of members of the security forces.
He added that morale could be boosted through infrastructure upgrades at security posts and improvements to patrolling capabilities on the front lines, by procuring the latest assets to meet the demands and challenges in the Esszone.
He urged the local communities, especially on Sabah’s eastern shores, to help the authorities by reporting any incident that could threaten public safety by contacting the Esscom operations centre at 089-863 181 or through WhatsApp at 011-6331 1072.
