SHAH ALAM, Aug 21 — The General Operations Force (GOF) has cracked down on illegal mining activities after raiding seven separate locations in three states through Ops Gali Mega, with a total seizure value estimated at RM13.26 million.

GOF Central Brigade commander SAC Hakemal Hawari said the operation to crack down on the activities began at 11am yesterday, covering the areas of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.

He said a total of 31 individuals were checked in the operation, with 15 of them arrested for various offences.

Meanwhile, Hakemal said the latest raid at 3.30pm yesterday targeted an illegal operation site covering an area of 0.647 hectares at Lot PT 89, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang Lama, which is believed to be processing sand without permission.

He said the operation was carried out in an integrated manner with the cooperation of the Selangor Water Management Board (LUAS), the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) and the Land and Mines Office (PTG).

“The raid at the site resulted in the arrest of 12 people consisting of five local men and seven foreign men.

“The operation team also seized 1,500 tonnes of sand, heavy machinery and sand washing and processing equipment with an estimated value of RM5 million at this location alone,” he said after visiting the illegal site after the raid here last night.

Touching on the syndicate’s modus operandi, Hakemal said the sand was believed to be brought in from outside areas including construction site waste to be washed and processed into fine sand, before being sold at a price of around RM500 to RM600 per lorry.

He said the sand processing activities, which usually operate during the day, also released soil washing waste directly into the nearby river, thus causing significant water pollution and turbidity.

He said all arrests were being investigated in accordance with the National Land Code Act 1965, the LUAS Enactment 1999, the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the By-Laws Act 2021.

Hakemal stressed that his party would not compromise with any party found to be involved in illegal activities.

In this regard, he called on the public to continue to channel information to the police if they find any suspicious activities in their respective areas. — Bernama