Sabah Marine Police seize untaxed cigarettes, liquor worth RM5.37m

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 17 — In a significant operation by Region 4 Sabah Marine Police (PPM), untaxed cigarettes and liquor worth nearly RM5.37 million were seized in three raids conducted in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu. The first raid took place at an unregistered jetty along the Seguntur River in Sandakan, where a 45-year-old man was arrested and 1.82 million cigarettes worth RM2.564 million were confiscated.

Following the arrest, a second raid uncovered 1.73 million cigarettes hidden in a speedboat among mangroves, valued at RM2.326 million. Additionally, a separate operation on September 14 at an unnumbered warehouse in Kampung Dambai, Jalan Tuaran Bypass, resulted in the seizure of 43,200 cans of untaxed liquor valued at RM478,506.

These cases are under investigation under Sections 135(1)(d) and 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967. The Sabah PPM has recorded 61 cases under the Customs Act 1967 between January and September 15, involving seizures worth RM8,386,812.61 and 40 arrests. The force's statement highlights the importance of intelligence sharing and strategic cooperation with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in strengthening enforcement efforts against smuggling and distribution of untaxed goods.

The PPM reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying enforcement operations, emphasizing information sharing and inter-agency cooperation to curb smuggling activities.