KOTA KINABALU: Marine police successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle RM1.2mil worth of contraband cigarettes, including unpaid taxes, in Sandakan.
Sabah Region Four marine police commander Asst Comm Ahmad Ariffin said over 1,800 boxes of the smuggled goods were seized from a house in Taman Hing Lee at 5.30pm on Friday.
He said the contraband is believed to have been smuggled in from neighbouring countries and was meant for distribution within the district and nearby areas.
“The raiding team seized 984,000 sticks of cigarettes of various brands. We also arrested a local man, believed to be the caretaker of the house.”
The case has been handed over to the Sandakan police and will be investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act.
