KOTA KINABALU: Marine police confiscated over half a million ringgit worth of untaxed beer and alcohol in the Beaufort district.
Four local men aged from 33 to 39 were also nabbed in the raid.
According to police sources, the raid was conducted during 'Op Kotraban' at the Kg Bintuka Laut jetty at around 9pm on Tuesday (Feb 28).
He said this arrest and raid was made following a tip-off.
Prior to the arrest, marine policemen set up monitoring ports and were scouting the area when they saw three fully loaded lorries parked at the jetty.
Some men were seen transferring the crates of beer and bottles of alcohol from a boat into the lorries, said a source.
Marine officials went in and arrested four men and seized the items.
"The skipper of the speedboat sped off when he saw the authorities," the source added.
Sabah Region Four Marine Police commander Asst Comm Ahmad Ariffin confirmed the arrests and confiscation of what is believed are smuggled items.
"All suspects and confiscated items have been brought back to the Beaufort police station for further investigation," he said.
He said the total value of the seized beer and liquor was about RM582,400.
The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967, said ACP Ahmad.
