The contraband cigarettes seized by marine police.
KOTA KINABALU: Marine police seized a host of contraband and controlled items worth over RM100,000 in a series of operations here and in the east coast Semporna district.
In the first case, they thwarted efforts to smuggle in illicit cigarettes at the Likas river here on Monday (July 10).
A team was patrolling the riverbank when it spotted a group of men acting in a suspicious manner at about 6.40pm.
“The men scurried off in all directions when the police approached them,” said a source, when contacted on Wednesday (July 12).
Following a check, the source said, police found an assortment of contraband cigarettes kept in black plastic bags abandoned by the suspects.
Marine Police Region 4 Commander Asst Comm Ahmad Ariffin confirmed the case, saying the illegal items were worth some RM70,000.
The items have been handed over to the Customs Department for the next course of action, he added.
In Semporna, marine policemen stopped two men who were trying to smuggle out 204 packets of subsidised cooking oil at Sibangkat Island.
The men, both Filipinos aged 19 and 50, were travelling in a pumpboat when they were intercepted by the police at about 9pm.
ACP Ahmad said the boat and the seized items were valued at more than RM10,000.
“The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Semporna office has taken custody of the seized items and the detainees,” he said.
In a separate case, marine police also stopped an attempt by a 42-year-old man who tried to sneak illegal cosmetic products into Semporna.
The suspect was travelling in a boat off Sibuan Island when he was detained at about 6.30pm.
It was believed the man was bringing the cosmetics from the Philippines.
ACP Ahmad said the suspect did not have the papers to prove the items were approved for use in the country by the Health Ministry.
The boat and cosmetics were worth over RM31,000, he added.
