Police Seize Agarwood, Equipment Worth Over RM106 Milion In Melaka

MELAKA, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Police have seized various types of agarwood and related equipment worth over RM106 million in a large-scale operation conducted last month at two separate locations in Melaka, in collaboration with multiple enforcement agencies.

Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the integrated operations, dubbed ‘Op Bersepadu Khazanah - OBK’ were launched following intelligence gathered by the Special Investigation Intelligence (PSK/WCB) team under the Department of Internal Security and Public Order (JKDNKA), Bukit Aman. The operation was carried out around 11.30 am on July 31.

“Simultaneous raids were conducted at two locations - a factory in the Bukit Rambai Industrial Estate and a residential home in Ayer Keroh Heights. Inspections found that both premises were involved in illegal activities, including the possession, storage, processing, and trading of agarwood,” he said.

He added that all the seized wood is believed to be agarwood from the Aquilaria malaccensis species, which is classified as a protected tree under the National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313) and relevant regulations enforced by the Forestry Department.

He said this at a press conference held at the Bukit Rambai Industrial Estate earlier today. Also present was Bukit Aman JKDNKA deputy director, SAC Zairulnizam Mohd Zainuddin @ Hilmi.

Zulkhairi added that items seized during the operation included approximately 12,178 kilogrammes (kg) of karas wood, 5,783 kg of karas wood powder, and 10 boxes of karas weighing around 100 kg.

Also confiscated were 2,585.2 kg of karas resin, various species of wood with a total volume of 43.84 cubic metres, 167 stumps of wood suspected to be imported, as well as a range of wood-processing machines and equipment. Three individuals were also arrested, including two Myanmar men, believed to have no valid documents at the factory location, and a 55-year-old local woman who is the owner of the house.

He said investigations found that the premises had never been registered with, nor had they applied for a licence from, the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department (JPSM) or the Melaka Forestry Department. No approval had been issued for the transfer or ownership of forest produce related to the activities conducted at the sites.

“The premises are believed to have been operating illegally for over a year, with the agarwood being sold both locally and for export. The supply is believed to have been sourced from within Melaka and other parts of the country,” he said.

He added that police will continue their investigations, as they have received three reports this year regarding the theft of agarwood trees from forested areas around Melaka. The stolen timber is suspected to have been sold and processed at illegal facilities such as the ones raided.

The operation involved nine agencies, including the Forestry Department, Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB), and the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ).

Among the offences detected were violations under Section 6(1)(C) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, Section 84 of the National Forestry Act 1984, and Section 3(1) of the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1986, along with various other infractions including unlicensed business operations and illegal possession of gas cylinders.

-- BERNAMA