JOHOR BAHARU: Customs enforcement officers had barely stopped a lorry laden with contraband cigarettes and liquor when 15 vehicles driven by ‘tontos’ (look-outs) rammed into their four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle.
Two of the officers were injured as the ‘tontos’ relentlessly hit the Toyota Fortuner with their vehicles at the 24km Pasir Gudang Highway last Wednesday.
As the lorry driver escaped on foot amid the melee, and the ‘tontos’ drove away, the customs officers seized the contraband comprising a consignment of ‘kretek’ (clove) and white cigarettes, and two types of beer, worth about RM1.91 million.
Department director Datuk Ramli Johari said the wanton collision orchestrated by the ‘tontos’ badly damaged the customs enforcement vehicle in the incident at 8.45pm.
He said that amid the melee, compounded by the traffic congestion, the lorry driver took advantange of the situation to escape.
He said investigations revealed the ‘tontos’ had escorted the lorry to ‘protect’ the contraband from being seized by the customs enforcement officers.
Speaking to reporters here today, Ramli said a multi-purpose vehicle was one of the 15 vehicles used by the ‘tontos’ to ram into the customs vehicle.
“Following the incident, we will consider increasing the number of enforcement officers and vehicles when carrying out operations to ensure the safety of our personnel,” said Ramli. — Bernama