Marine Police Seize Illicit Cigarettes Worth RM2.28 Mln in Muar

JOHOR BAHRU, April 15 (Bernama) -- The Johor Region Two Marine Police Force (PPM) in Muar arrested three local men and seized 7,000 cartons of cigarettes worth more than RM2.28 million in an operation in the waters of Kuala Sungai Muar yesterday.

Region Two commander ACP Noor Azman Jamal said an RH30 patrol boat conducting Op Taring Gelora detected a fishing boat carrying individuals aged between 23 and 62 at 1 am.

“An inspection led to the discovery of several brown boxes containing illicit cigarettes believed to be untaxed,” he said in a statement today.

Noor Azman said in addition to the L.A. Bold kretek cigarettes, also seized were the fishing boat, a Fuso 120-horsepower engine and a mobile phone.

He said the three men were detained to assist investigations and were taken to the Region Two Muar Operations Base for further action.

The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985.

He added that the authorities will continue to intensify efforts to curb illegal cigarette smuggling activities, which violate the law and result in losses to the country.

-- BERNAMA