TAWAU: Authorities seized assets and equipment worth an estimated RM21 million from a block ice factory suspected of operating illegally during an integrated raid at Mile 3, Jalan Apas, here, Saturday.
The operation was led by Tawau General Operations Force (GOF) Battalion 14 Intelligence Branch Officer ASP Mohd Rafail Rabbahil, involving nine members.
Also involved were Tawau Environmental Health Officer Mohd Rafi Osman and five officers from the Tawau Health Department, as well as an Advertising Officer from the Tawau Municipal Council (MPT) representing the local authority.
According to a statement issued by the GOF, the seizure involved assets and equipment used at the premises for block ice production activities believed to have been carried out without the necessary approvals and licences from the relevant authorities.
Following the raid and inspection, authorities also detained a 28-year-old local man believed to be the factory manager.
Among the items seized was a chiller containing a quantity of block ice believed to have been produced for sale to meet market demand in Tawau and Semporna.
Authorities also confiscated two block ice-making machines, an ice crushing machine, two cooling towers and water storage tanks suspected of being used in the block ice production process.
Further action was taken after the operators failed to produce any licences or approvals authorising them to conduct the production and sale of block ice.
The situation raised suspicions over the operational status of the factory, despite the premises being found to possess a valid business licence issued by the local authority and a Food Hygiene Regulations licence that remained in force.
Follow-up inspections carried out during the integrated operation also revealed that the factory failed to display a business signboard as required under local authority regulations.
Meanwhile, the Tawau Health Department opened an investigation under Regulation 394(A)(4) of the Food Regulations 1985. It also issued a compound amounting to RM2,500 and ordered the seizure of the factory’s operations, including the related equipment.
Separately, MPT issued a first warning notice to the owner of the factory premises after it was found to have failed to display a business signboard as required under the Tawau Municipal Council Licensing (Advertisement) By-Laws 1968.
