MARINE POLICE SEIZE CONTRABAND CIGARETTES WORTH OVER RM690,000

KOTA BHARU, May 6 (Bernama) -- The Region Three Marine Police Force (PPM) seized 350,000 sticks of white cigarettes believed to have been smuggled during a special operation on the banks of Sungai Mak Neralang, Kok Keli, yesterday.

Commander ACP Zulafendy Hassan said the seizure took place at 1.30 am when a team of officers and personnel from the PPM Pengkalan Kubor operations headquarters was conducting Op Taring Landai/Op Khas Kontraban Series 55/2025 in the area.

He said the team spotted several individuals acting suspiciously near the riverbank and rushed to the location, but the suspects managed to escape.

“An inspection at the site uncovered several piles of black plastic bags containing cartons of white cigarettes, all without valid import permits,” he said in a statement today.

He added that the seized items, including unpaid taxes, are estimated to be worth RM693,000 and are believed to have been smuggled in for distribution on the local market.

Zulafendy said that after waiting for about 30 minutes at the scene, no individual came forward to claim ownership of the contraband. As a result, all seized items were transported to the PPM Pengkalan Kubor operations headquarters for further action.

“The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967 and has been referred to the Criminal Investigation Division at the Tumpat district police headquarters,” he said.

He added that PPM Region Three remains committed to combating cross-border crimes that threaten the country’s economic stability.

He also urged the public to report any information related to smuggling activities by contacting 09-513 7726 or emailing gerakanw3@gmail.com. The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.

-- BERNAMA