By Wendy John
SIBU, Dec 3: Three people have been arrested in connection with selling and distributing contraband cigarettes and beer worth a total of RM560, 400 including tax.
According to deputy commander DSP Fredial Nyambong, the 10th Battalion General Operation Force (GOF) had carried out raids at two different places at Jalan Ah Wee in Betong at noon on Monday (Dec 2).
Fredial said both operations were successfully conducted following tip-offs by members of the public.
In the first raid on a sundry shop, the enforcement team arrested two local women in their 20s.
“We seized 133 cartons of cigarettes of various brands and 10 boxes of beer costing a total of RM35, 440,” he said, adding that the two women were workers at the shop which had been selling contraband as side income.
The second operation was carried out on a building which served as a storeroom for contraband.
“We arrested a 40-year-old man who is the owner of the building and confiscated from him a total of 3,336 boxes of beer of various brands worth RM531, 840,” he said.
Fredial said the suspect whom they had arrested previously in early 2018, was the main distributor of contraband in the area.
“We have referred the three suspects to Betong police for further action,” he said.
The arrests were made under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Custom Act 1967.
The offense provides for a minimum fine of RM100 and a maximum of RM1,000 or 10 times the value of contraband seized, including a jail sentence of not less than six years and not more than 10 years.
“We hope the public in our jurisdiction which include Sibu, Betong, Mukah and Lubok Antu will continue to provide us with information on smuggling activities so that we can take action,” he added. — DayakDaily
