SIBU – An attempt to smuggle in RM21.5 million worth of illegal cigarettes and liquor was crippled by the Region 5 Marine Police on March 12.
This makes it the largest contraband seizure in Sarawak so far this year.
State police commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail said that the contraband was stashed in 18 containers on board a cargo vessel, adding that six Indonesians aged between 22 and 39 were arrested.
A five-member enforcement team on Ops Kontraband rounds received a tip-off from the public about suspicious activity on a cargo vessel berthed at a private jetty on Tanjung Kunyit along the Rajang River.
“The team rushed to the scene at about 10am on March 12 and found the vessel laden with 35 containers,” he said.
“After waiting for about 10 hours, no one showing up to claim ownership of the vessel – so the team opened one container and found boxes of beer inside.
“They opened another container later and found liquor,” Aidi said, adding that the officers then seized the vessel and detained the six suspects.
Besides the contraband goods, the team also seized the cargo vessel, a tugboat, and 35 containers, all of which have a combined value estimated at RM30.13 million.
“Police are still on the lookout to search for the owner of the vessel and are probing the source of these smuggled items,” said Aidi.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(d) of the Customs Act 1967. – The Vibes, March 31, 2021
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