ANN/THE STAR – Police believe they have crippled a syndicate smuggling untaxed cigarettes and alcoholic drinks with the seizure of almost MYR8 million of the contraband items in the east coast Sandakan district.
The items were seized in raids under the operation codenamed ‘Ops Kontraban’ at three separate locations in the district on Thursday.
Three local men, aged between 29 and 45, were also arrested in the operation, jointly carried out by the Bukit Aman Intelligence and Special Investigations branch, the General Operations Force (GOF) and Sandakan district police.
“With the seizure and arrests, we believe we have cut off the syndicate’s smuggling network in Sandakan,” said Sabah police commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah when contacted yesterday.
He said they mounted the raids, from 11am to 2.30pm, at two warehouses and a house following a tip-off.
After storming the locations they found contraband cigarettes valued at MYR5,950,740.09, he said.
The raiding team also found an assortment of untaxed alcoholic beverages worth MYR1,714,437, he added.
“We also seized two vans and a lorry that we believe were used to transport the illicit items.
“Altogether, the items were worth MYR7,915,177.45,” Commissioner Idris said.
He said police believed the three suspects were looking after the premises as well as acting as drivers to move around the items.
“The suspects have been handed over to the Sabah Customs Department for further investigations under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967,” he added.
