THE General Operations Force (GOF) in Sarawak seized 13 boxes containing 11,700 turtle eggs worth RM109,250, and detained two local men in their latest success under Op Khazanah.

Its commander Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said in a statement today that the seizure took place in Lawas last Saturday at 10am.

He said a team from Company C, Battalion 12 detained the suspects, who were in a four-wheel drive, at the Merapok Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex after the turtle eggs were found in the vehicle.

“We believe the turtle eggs were meant to be smuggled out to a neighbouring country,” he said, adding that the RM80,000 vehicle was also seized.

He said the two suspects and seized items were handed over to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation in Lawas for further action.

The case is being investigated under section 29(1) of the Sarawak Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.

In another case, Che Ghazali said the Sarawak GOF found an air-gun worth RM800 in some bushes along the Malaysia-Indonesia border near Teluk Melano, during a patrol under Ops Batas yesterday.

No arrest was made, however, as no one turned up to retrieve the weapon after an hour.

He said under Op Batas from May 30 to yesterday, Sarawak GOF recorded three deportation cases at the Sarawak-Kalimantan, Indonesia border involving 21 individuals – 17 men and four women – aged 10 to 63.

In total, Sarawak GOF recorded RM1.4 million in seizures and nine arrests during Op Bersepadu Khazanah from early this year until yesterday.

“Op Batas has recorded seizures worth RM1.1 million from 104 cases involving the arrests of 370 people – 24 locals and 346 foreigners – including 301 foreigners who were deported,” he added. – Bernama, June 6, 2022.