SHAH ALAM, Aug 21 — An illegal sand washing and processing operation believed to have been running for eight years along Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang Lama here was busted under Op Gali Mega yesterday.
The raid at about 3.30 pm saw 12 men, including seven foreigners, arrested, while about 1,500 tonnes of sand, heavy machinery and sand washing and processing equipment worth an estimated RM5 million in total were seized.
General Operations Force (GOF) Central Brigade commander SAC Hakemal Hawari said the operation was conducted on a site covering about 0.64 hectares in collaboration with the Selangor Land and Mines Office, Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) and Immigration Department.
“The illegal mining operation is believed to have been operating for about eight years.
“The modus operandi involved bringing unwanted sand from elsewhere, such as construction sites, to this location before reprocessing it to obtain fine sand.
“The fine sand, which was processed using water from a nearby river, was then resold at RM600 per lorry, with between 30 and 60 lorry loads said to be leaving the site for sale,” he told reporters at the scene last night, as reported by Harian Metro.
Hakemal said the activity had also polluted the nearby river, with the water turning murky as a result of the sand washing process.
“The most noticeable impact of this illegal activity is the pollution of the river, which has caused the water to become murky.
“The operation was found to be running during the daytime, and we will investigate where the processed sand was being sold to obtain further information on the case,” he said.
Hakemal said investigations were also continuing to identify the masterminds behind the operation and determine where the processed sand was being sold.
He said the site was among seven locations raided by the GOF Central Brigade under Op Gali Mega in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Johor, with seizures totalling RM13.2 million since Wednesday.
Throughout the operation, 31 individuals were screened, with 15 arrested for various offences.
“This success is the result of continuous intelligence-gathering and surveillance, and we will not compromise with any party involved in illegal activities.
“The GOF will continue to carry out its duties and responsibilities in safeguarding national security and public order. The public is urged to provide information on any suspicious activities in their respective areas,” he said.
The case is being investigated under the National Land Code 1965, Selangor Water Management Authority Enactment 1999, Immigration Act 1959/63 and Local Government Act 1976.
