KOTA KINABALU: Timber worth over RM1.1mil were seized en route to a wood factory in Ranau district.

During the raid codenamed Ops Bersepadu Khazanah, General Operations Force (GOF) personnel had noticed two trailers along the Tambunan-Ranau road, near Kg Rondogung at around 1.30am on Thursday.

Sabah GOF commander Datuk Abdul Rani Alias said the drivers were instructed to pull over, and inspections on the trailer led to the discovery of a total of 59 timber logs worth over RM1.189mil.

“The male drivers, aged 43 and 59, failed to produce permits for the timber and are believed to have breached the Sabah Forestry Department regulations,” he said in a statement.

The two suspects were nabbed while the logs as well as the vehicles worth RM2.68mil were seized and handed over to the Sabah Forestry Department for further action under the Sabah Forestry Enactment 1968.

Abdul said they believe the timber was taken from Tomani Tenom, and headed to a factory in Lohan, Ranau.

He said operations against illegal logging and other crimes will be strengthened, he added.