Around 33,000 tonnes of natural resources, including coal, quarry stone, earth and sand, worth RM21 million were seized during the Aug 19-23 operation.
Bukit Aman internal security and public order department director Yusri Hassan Basri said around 33,000 tonnes of natural resources worth nearly RM21 million were seized during the General Operations Force’s (GOF) Aug 19-23 operation.
The operation also saw 99 people arrested, comprising 61 Malaysians and 38 foreigners.
Yusri said the largest seizures involved 87 pieces of heavy machinery worth nearly RM38.7 million, 55 vehicles worth almost RM14 million, and 194 pieces of various mining equipment valued at about RM44.3 million.
The 33,000 tonnes of mineral resources included coal, quarry stone, earth and sand.
“Police detected that 32 people and 21 companies were involved in these mining activities.
“The list of people and companies involved has been handed to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) for investigation to identify possible tax leakages,” he told a press conference at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters here.
Yusri said most of the sites inspected were in Sabah (14), followed by Sarawak (seven), Pahang (six), Selangor (four), Kelantan (three), Terengganu (three), Perak (three), Negeri Sembilan (two), Kedah (two) and Johor (one).
He added that authorities were still investigating how long the mines had been operating, as well as the possibility of links between mining activities at several locations.
Yusri said the syndicates were believed to have knowledge and experience in the mining industry, including identifying areas rich in mineral resources.
There was also a possibility that they had brought in experts from overseas, including China, said Yusri.
He said the integrated operation would continue in cooperation with the minerals and geoscience department, and other enforcement agencies to curb illegal mining activities. - FMT
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