KUALA LUMPUR – Police seized RM293.3 million worth of smuggled goods nationwide in the first seven months of the year.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Zainal Abidin Kasim said this compares with the RM102.6 million worth of smuggled goods confiscated in the same period last year.
Among the items are cigarettes, liquor, frozen meat and vehicles, he said in an interview at the federal police headquarters here.
“Between January and July, 1,024 individuals were detained in relation to smuggling cases. Of this number, 814 are locals. The non-citizen suspects include Indonesians and Filipinos.
“In the same period last year, 996 individuals, comprising both locals and non-citizens, were detained over smuggling activities.”
The seizures and arrests were not made only in border areas, he said, but also at shops and storage facilities where the goods, for which tax was not paid, were kept.
“In the operation against cigarette smuggling in Sarawak between 2015 and April this year, cash totalling RM225,400 was seized and 42 individuals detained for attempting to bribe enforcement officers.”
On police’s Air Operation Force (AOF), he said it is involved in efforts to nab wildlife smugglers.
“AOF’s duties are not limited to ensuring security in border areas. They also help curb encroachment, and illegal logging and hunting in collaboration with the Wildlife and National Parks Department.
“Upon receiving tip-offs on land encroachment or fires breaking out, they conduct aerial monitoring (to take photos), too.” – Bernama, August 17, 2021
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