A group of suspected smugglers escaped by diving into the sea after police raided an area in Sabah early yesterday, leaving behind two boats containing cigarettes worth an estimated RM461,400.
The operation was carried out by the Sabah Marine Police Force Region 4 at about 2.20am at the Kampung Sri Aman Jetty in Batu 3, following intelligence gathering and surveillance on suspicious movements in the area.
Marine Police Region 4 commander Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Amri Rahman said the activity was believed to be linked to the smuggling of cigarettes from a neighbouring country.
“During the raid, the team found 250,000 sticks of Premium International white cigarettes valued at RM375,000 and 48,000 sticks of Menara Dunia cigarettes worth RM86,400,” he said in a media statement today.
Besides the contraband, officers also seized two unnumbered fibreglass boats and two Yamaha engines, each with a capacity of 200 horsepower. The total value of the seizure, including the boats, engines and cigarettes, was estimated at RM601,400.
Ahmad said several suspects fled by jumping into the sea when enforcement officers moved in. However, attempts to locate them had to be called off due to poor visibility in the darkness.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, as authorities continue efforts to identify those responsible for the smuggling operation.
He said Marine Police Region 4 had recorded 55 cases under the Customs Act between January and August this year, involving seizures worth more than RM7.3 million and the arrest of 39 individuals.
Ahmad stressed that enforcement efforts would continue to be strengthened, particularly at locations identified as possible smuggling routes, through intelligence operations, patrols and targeted raids to safeguard the country’s waters.
