KINARUT: The Sabah General Operations Force has seized various types of frozen food worth more than RM35.4 million, which were being stored and distributed without valid licences and permits.

A total of 29 individuals were arrested during Op Taring Chiller, a raid conducted simultaneously across 10 districts today.

The integrated operation, carried out from 9am to 8pm, targeted storage warehouses and major distribution centres suspected of operating without valid documentation and in breach of various food management regulations.

Commander Datuk Abdul Rani Alias said 275 officers and personnel from various enforcement agencies in the operation.

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"The raid team arrested 29 individuals, comprising 22 men and seven women aged between 20 and 60 years.

"The arrests were made simultaneously in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Papar, Sandakan, Tawau, Kunak, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Tenom and Keningau," he said at a press conference at the Sabah Brigade General Operations Force headquarters here today.

The agencies involved included the Sabah Veterinary Services Department, Health Ministry and Sabah Agriculture Department.

Abdul Rani said the seizures involved various frozen food products, including chicken, meat, seafood, french fries and meatballs.

Equipment such as cold rooms, industrial refrigerators, meat cutting machines and refrigerated lorries were also confiscated.

"The total amount of seized products and equipment is estimated to be worth RM35,452,000, with Kota Kinabalu recording the highest amount exceeding RM12 million," he said.

He said a total of 19 locations were raided in the operation, with 15 premises identified as committing violations, three were found clean, and one was not operating.

Among the six main offences identified were operating without a business licence; violating Section 15(1) of the Animal Welfare Enactment 2015; breaching the Food Act 1983; contravening Sections 102 and 103 of the Local Government Act 1976; violating the Trade Licensing Ordinance 1948; and breaching Regulation 10(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 and Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

Abdul Rani said checks found that most of the frozen products were local products and no longer featured foreign country labels as before.

"We believe the products were repackaged locally to confuse the authorities. The focus of the operation is on storage warehouses and distribution centres, not retail shops or sales stores.

"The raid was carried out after two to three weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, and timed for early morning as the premises began operations," he said.

He said the majority of the arrests involved warehouse workers, and the rest were premises owners.

"All arrests and seizures have been handed over to the relevant agencies for further action under existing laws.

"This operation will continue in phases alongside other enforcement agencies. Our main objective is to protect consumers and ensure that the food supplied is safe and of high quality," he added.