KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) seized goods worth more than RM10 million in an integrated operation to combat the smuggling of cigarettes and liquor in Kuching, Sarawak, yesterday.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said simultaneous raids were conducted at two premises used to store the contraband during the operation.
“The operation led to the arrest of three individuals, comprising two local men and an Indonesian man, aged between 30 and 64, and seizure of contraband worth RM10,500,028,” he said in a statement today.
The operations, known as Op Taring Alpha 1 and Op Taring Alpha 2, were carried out in collaboration with the Sarawak Brigade General Operations Force (PGA).
At the first location, the authorities seized 648 litres of liquor, 90,000 white cigarettes of various brands, 51,200 kretek cigarettes, and a mobile phone.
Azmi said 4,190,000 white cigarettes of various brands, 24,320 kretek cigarettes, a van, and a mobile phone were seized during the second raid.
Between January 1 and July 2 this year, the Bukit Aman KDNKA conducted 155 raids nationwide, resulting in 236 arrests for various smuggling-related offences, with a total value of seizures estimated at RM443.85 million.
He also emphasised the importance of public cooperation in providing information to the police to help eradicate such crimes.
"Smuggling activities and the sale of untaxed goods not only impact the nation’s revenue, but could also pose a threat to border security if not tackled comprehensively," Azmi said.
— Bernama
