TAWAU: The Tawau Marine Police foiled a contraband cigarette smuggling attempt with the arrest of a foreigner in a raid on Monday night.
The operation, conducted by the Tawau Marine Police Intelligence Unit, was conducted at about 10.45 pm in Kampung Sungai Buaya.
During the raid, the marine policemen discovered and confiscated 66 boxes containing various brands of illegal cigarettes, which were concealed in black plastic packages.
Sabah Marine Police Commander, ACP Mohd Nazri Ibrahim, confirmed that a foreigner and a four-wheel drive vehicle, believed to have been used to transport the illicit goods, were detained for further investigation.
“The total seizure value, including the cigarettes and the vehicle, is estimated to be RM63,240,” Nazri stated in a statement.
The case is currently being investigated under the Customs Act 1967. The suspect is being held for the offence of possessing and storing prohibited goods without approval from the relevant authorities. – James Leong
The four-wheel drive vehicle and the suspect detained for investigation.
