POLICE BUST SYNDICATE SMUGGLING, DISTRIBUTING CIGARETTES, LIQUOR IN KENINGAU

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) – The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) busted a syndicate smuggling and distributing cigarettes and liquor at three premises around Keningau, Sabah, with a total seizure valued at RM4.45 million.

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said five individuals involving a local man and three Indonesian men and a woman were arrested through an integrated operation known as Op Taring Alpha 1 and Op Taring Alpha 2 on Feb 3. 

"These arrests and seizures have succeeded in breaking the network of smuggling, distribution and sale of liquor and non-customs cigarettes that are active around Keningau," he said in a statement adding that the seizure included contraband cigarettes, liquor as well as two trucks, two vans and three mobile phones.

The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possession of non-customs goods and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. 

For the period Jan 1 to Feb 3, 2025, PDRM through the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) has carried out 46 raids nationwide, with 51 individuals arrested for various offences, including smuggling of non-customs goods, leakage of controlled and subsidised goods, wildlife smuggling and sale of counterfeit weapons.

"The total amount of seizure during this period reached RM181.25 million," he said.

Azmi stressed that the PDRM will continue to work with other enforcement agencies to ensure that national security and government tax revenue are not affected and the cooperation of the public is strongly encouraged by channelling information to the police to help eradicate such crime completely.

-- BERNAMA