KUCHING: Police have arrested eight local men and seized over RM98 million worth of illicit cigarettes and beers in a joint anti-smuggling operation on Tuesday (Feb 6).
The operation codenamed ‘Ops Taring Alpha’ targeting contraband activities, was conducted by a team of personnel from Bukit Aman Wildlife Crime Bureau (WCB), Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK), Marine Police Region 5, and General Operations Force (GOF) 11th Battalion.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata in a press conference said the police had carried out three raids at different premises along Jalan Setia Raja, Jalan Padungan, and Jalan Penrissen, Mile 7.
“It resulted in the arrests of eight men aged between 22 and 67, at the premises which were being used as stores for contraband goods.
“The team managed to confiscate a total of 2,854 boxes of various cigarettes and beers, most of which have expired.
“The estimated seizure value of the contraband goods amounted to RM98,717,342.11 including tax,” he said at Sarawak IPK yesterday (Feb 7).
All of the suspects have been remanded for up to seven days from Feb 7 to facilitate investigations in the case.
Mancha added that the case is being investigated under Section 135(1) (d) of the Customs Act 1967, which provides for a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine up to RM100,000, upon conviction.
Also present are Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Ibrahim Darus, Sarawak GOF Brigade Commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang, Sarawak Marine Police Region 5 Commander ACP Abdul Rahman Mat Hasan and Kuching police chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah.
