Sarawak: The Sarawak Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) detained 16 men and seized more than RM6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and alcohol in coordinated raids across the state on May 22, as part of 'Op Taring Alpha'.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, GOF Sarawak deputy commander ACP Rosdi Inai stated that the first raid, conducted at 12.30 pm, resulted in the detention of seven men aged between 27 and 46. Officers seized 4,881 cartons of various cigarette brands and 7,588 litres of alcohol. Additionally, two vans were confiscated, bringing the total value of the haul to RM4.03 million.

In a subsequent raid in Serian at around 1.30 pm, three local men aged 22 to 39 were detained. Authorities seized 2,466 cartons of cigarettes and 4,016 litres of alcohol, worth approximately RM1.05 million.

Later that day in Sri Aman, six more local men, aged between 18 and 39, were detained. The operation netted 4,569 cartons of cigarettes and 7,357 litres of alcohol, with an estimated value of RM1.2 million.

Rosdi mentioned that all suspects and seized items have been handed over to the Kuching and Serian district police headquarters for further investigation.