GOF Seizes Silica Sand, Processing Equipment Worth RM7.25 Mln In Kampar

IPOH, May 8 (Bernama) -- About 5,000 tonnes of silica sand and mineral processing equipment worth RM7.25 million were seized yesterday in Kampar during an integrated operation at a premises found to be operating without a valid permit.

General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade commander SAC Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said that three local men aged between 20 and 30, believed to be business owners and lorry drivers, were arrested during the operation codenamed Ops Bersepadu Khazanah.

He said that the GOF Northern Brigade, in collaboration with the Perak Department of Minerals and Geosciences (JMG), the Perak Land and Mines Office (PTG), the Perak Inland Revenue Board, and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kampar District Police Headquarters, were involved in the operation.

Balveer Singh said the operation was carried out following intelligence gathered on a premises in Kampar suspected of conducting silica sand processing activities without a valid permit.

“Initial investigations found that the premises had been operating since 2024. The facilities were used specifically to process silica sand before it was stored subsequently shipped overseas,” he said in a statement tonight.

Balveer Singh said the sand supply found at the location was sourced from a housing project site around Ipoh.

He said that in the same operation, an inspection by Perak PTG officers of two lorries carrying sand found that both drivers failed to produce mineral transfer documents for the transport of the material.

“Various machines and equipment used for silica sand processing, together with a pile of sand estimated to weigh 5,000 tonnes and 500 jumbo bags containing amang-type minerals were seized,” he added.

Balveer Singh said the case was being investigated under Regulation 6(4) of the Mineral Development (Licensing) Regulations 2016, and Section 426 of the National Land Code.

--BERNAMA