GOF Raid On Illegal Sawmill Yields RM1.69 Mln Seizure

GUA MUSANG, June 19 (Bernama) -- The General Operations Force (GOF) busted a sawmill suspected to be operating without a valid licence in Kampung Sungai Bayu here yesterday and seized timber valued at an estimated RM1.69 million.

Southeast Brigade GOF commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan was conducted at about 4 pm by the 8th GOF Battalion in Pengkalan Chepa in collaboration with the Machang District Forestry Department.

He said a lorry carrying a load of timber and several individuals engaged in timber-processing activities were detained during the raid.

"Further inspection uncovered various equipment and machinery, including two band saw machines, as well as thousands of timber logs of various species and sizes. The seizure involved 2,100 pieces of processed timber, 307 logs and five bundles of timber slats," he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Radzi said the suspects and the seized items had been handed over to the Machang District Forestry Department for further action under Section 3(2) of the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985.

-- BERNAMA