SANDAKAN: The State Marine Police confiscated 187,480 sticks of contraband cigarettes, valued at over RM229,000, during a raid on a 10th-floor storage facility in Old Slipway on July 25.
A search of the premises uncovered two rooms converted into storage depots, packed with various duty-unpaid brands, including clove and white cigarettes. All seized items were taken into custody, and the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
State Marine Police Commander ACP Ahmad Amri Abd Rahman reiterated the unit’s commitment to intensifying enforcement operations and strengthening strategic collaboration with relevant agencies. He stressed that these efforts are vital to thoroughly curb smuggling activities, thereby protecting national security and safeguarding the country’s economic interests.
Between January and July 2026, the State Marine Police recorded 42 cigarette smuggling cases, leading to 30 arrests and a combined seizure value of RM6,030,176.66—a performance that underscores the unit’s ongoing resolve against revenue-depleting illicit trade. – James Leong
A marine policeman shows the confiscated cigarettes at the Sandakan Marine Police Base.
