MIRI: More than RM844,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes, beers and liquors were seized by Miri General Operations Force (GOF) intelligence unit during a raid on three stores in Pujut Padang Kerbau on Tuesday night (May 21).
Miri GOF commanding officer, Supt Tan Hiap Seng, said during a press conference yesterday that the contraband was seized during an 8.30pm raid following two weeks of surveillance.
“A total 13,673 cigarettes of various types, 14,304 cans of beers and 274 bottles of liquors were confiscated. We also detained a 22-year-old local man believed to be the storehouse caretaker,” said Tan.
This seizure would be the biggest for Miri GOF this year, he said.
The stores, said Tan, are behind one of the houses in the area. It was frequently used for keeping the contraband before distribution to buyers.
“Based on our preliminary investigation, the contrabands were brought from outside via sea routes,” said Tan, adding that those that they just seized were meant for the coming Gawai Dayak.
“Our surveillance was indeed fruitful,” Tan said.
The caretaker of the stores has been handed over to the police for more questioning while the contraband was handed over to Miri Customs Department.
The case is being investigated under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
