SIBU, March 31: The Region 5 Marine Police confiscated RM21.5 million worth of contraband cigarettes and liquor on March 12, its biggest seizure so far this year.
They also arrested six Indonesians aged between 22 to 39.
State Commissioner of Police, Dato Aidi Ismail said the seizure came during an operation codenamed Ops Kontraban based on a public tip-off about a vessel which was berthed at a private jetty at Tanjung Kunyit in the Rajang River at 10am on March 12.
Upon reaching the jetty, the enforcement team of five officers found a vessel which was laden with 35 containers.
“After waiting until 10.50pm with nobody coming to claim ownership of the vessel, they opened up a container and found boxes of beer. They opened up another container three hours later which contained (boxes of) another brand of liquor.” he added.
The vessel was later seized and six suspects detained for investigation.
The investigation revealed 18 containers containing various brands of liquor while another container contained cigarettes.
The total value of the seizures was estimated at RM30,137,383. They consisted of contraband cigarette and liquor worth RM21.5 million, the vessel (RM6.3 million), a tugboat (RM2 million) and 35 containers valued at RM175,000.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(d) of the Custom Act 1967, Aidi added. — DayakDaily
