Polis marin rampas rokok, minuman keras hampir RM5.37 juta

Polis Marin Wilayah 4 Sabah, located in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, has apprehended a significant cache of illegal cigarettes and liquor worth nearly RM5.37 million during a joint operation with Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM). The operation, conducted on September 14 and 15, involved three separate stints in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu.

The first sting operation took place around 1:30 am on September 15, conducted in cooperation with SPRM at an unregistered stall by the side of the Seguntur River in Sandakan. During this operation, a 45-year-old man was arrested, and an estimated 1.82 million unbranded cigarettes of various brands were seized, valued at around RM2.564 million.

Surveillance following the raid led to the discovery of another fast boat hidden in a mangrove gap in the Seguntur River. Upon inspection, this vessel was found to be carrying 1.73 million unbranded cigarettes in various brands, valued at approximately RM2.326 million.

On September 14, a separate operation was carried out by Polis Marin Wilayah 4 Sabah in Kampung Dambai, Jalan Tuaran Bypass. Here, 43,200 containers of liquor were found, unregistered and untaxed, valued at RM478,506. These seizures are recorded under Section 135(1)(d) and (1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967. According to the statement, from January to September 15 of this year, Polis Marin Wilayah 4 Sabah has recorded 61 cases under the Customs Act 1967, involving a total value of seized contraband goods of RM8,386,812.61 and 40 arrests.

Polis Marin Wilayah 4 Sabah's success underscores the effectiveness of shared risk and strategic cooperation with SPRM in strengthening enforcement actions and countering smuggling and distribution activities. They plan to continue enhancing enforcement operations, strengthening information sharing, and increasing collaboration between agencies to ensure ongoing success in combating smuggling.