MIRI, Sept 26 : A white Nissan van carrying illicit cigarettes worth with unpaid tax worth RM158,624 have been seized by the Marine Intelligence Unit (URM) Region 5 on Sunday (Sept 24).
Miri OCPD ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said in a statement, URM Region 5 personnel during an operation dubbed ‘Ops Kontraban’ had stopped the vehicle by the roadside of Jalan Friendship infront of a pet shop here around 1pm on Sunday.
“Checks revealed that the 104,000 cigarettes sticks were hidden at the back compartment,” he said.
The police also found 77 bottles of liquor and 14 cartons of beer worth at RM9,804.60 with unpaid tax.
The van driver was also detained by the police for further investigation, after he failed to show proof that the tax on the items had been paid, an offence under the Customs Act 1967.
The case has been referred to the Miri Criminal Investigation Department(CID) for further action.
Total worth of the items seized was RM233,428.60, including the value of the van. — DayakDaily
