KUCHING: A public tip-off has led to the seizure of 1,250 cartons of contraband cigarettes in Kampung Beratok, Padawan near here. General Operations Force (GOF) personnel found the items, worth RM367,500, in a house and a van during the raid codenamed Op Libas on Monday.
“Based on intelligence gathered and public tip-off, we launched an operation and raided the premises at 1.50pm,” GOF 11th Battalion commanding officer Supt Rosdi Inai told the media at the GOF headquarters yesterday.
“A 31-year-old man, who admitted to being the owner of the premises, was arrested after he failed to produce any documents regarding the discovery of the goods (cigarettes),” he said.
He added that investigation revealed that the cigarettes were smuggled in from a neighbouring country, and meant for the local market.
“The case has been referred to the Padawan district police station for further investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which carries a sentence of a fine of 20 times the value of the goods or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both, upon conviction,” Supt Rosdi said.
He also urged the public to continue coming forward with any information regarding suspicious activities to help the law fight crime.
