A smuggling attempt involving nearly one million sticks of white cigarettes was foiled after two suspicious vehicles crashed following a 16-kilometre chase during an operation by the Marine Police Force (PPM) Region Three on Friday.
Marine Police Region Three Commander Asst Comm Mohd Khairuddin Jamal said the operation, based on public intelligence, began when the Marine Intelligence Unit detected a one-tonne lorry and a car in the Salor area.
He said both vehicles attempted to flee, triggering a high-speed pursuit that stretched about 16 kilometres before ending in the Ketereh area.
The suspects abandoned their vehicles and escaped on foot after both vehicles skidded and came to a stop at the roadside shoulder.
Police personnel pursued the individuals but were unable to apprehend them, he added.
A search of the vehicles uncovered 976,800 sticks of white cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the country.
Authorities estimated the total seizure, including the vehicles used, at about RM2.01 million.
The case has been referred to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Kota Bharu for further investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
