Timber Factory Processing Untaxed Forest Produce Raided

TANAH MERAH: The General Operations Force (PGA) uncovered activities at a timber factory in Kampung Bukit Kecil here believed to be processing untaxed forest produce, with seizures worth a total of RM1.4 million during a raid on Saturday.

The operation, conducted at 2pm, also led to the arrest of four men aged between 26 and 45, including a factory clerk.

PGA Southeast Brigade Commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the integrated operation under Op Taring Wawasan was carried out by an intelligence team from the PGA 8th Battalion with assistance from the Tanah Merah District Forestry Department.

He said an inspection of the premises found a man operating heavy machinery to transport timber to the bandsaw area, while three other men were cutting timber using the machines.

“Further checks found that the 27-year-old factory clerk failed to produce a timber removal permit issued by the Forestry Department.

“Officers from the Tanah Merah Forestry Department who arrived at the scene subsequently conducted an inspection and confirmed that the timber found at the factory was believed to be untaxed,” he told reporters on Sunday.

He said inspections also found that the machines and equipment at the premises were believed to have been used to process untaxed timber.

The raid resulted in the seizure of a yellow Caterpillar heavy machine without a registration number, estimated to be worth RM800,000.

Also seized were two cross-cut machines worth RM70,000, two band saw machines worth RM500,000, 13 saw blades worth RM26,000, and 290 logs of various sizes and species estimated to be worth RM29,000.

“The total value of the seizures is estimated at RM1.4 million,” he said.

Sinar Harian