TAWAU: Despite the curfew imposed within a 3 nautical mile radius from the shoreline, the impact on smuggling activities has yet to be identified.
State Customs Department director Janathan Kandok said the department is not involved in the curfew, therefore any impact has not been identified as the curfew is new and the effect has not been seen yet on the custom side.
However, he said the department continues with its enforcement operations including integrated operations.
Speaking at the handing over of Tawau Customs chief’s duties from Yunos Hj Tahir to Dato Kassim Dato Bangsawa on Friday, he said cases such as cigarette smuggling will be brought to court and not compounded anymore, which shows the determination of the department.
On small scale smuggling of controlled goods, he said integrated operations will ensure that the goods are not smuggled out.
Meanwhile, he said the three cases of drug trafficking have been the biggest cases this year involving three Filipinos who have been charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
He said tight security at airports had succeeded in detecting 11 cases since 2012, with one case in Tawau, one in Sandakan and the rest at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
After the handover, Yunos will be transferred to Kota Kinabalu and promoted to State custom deputy director, while Kassim is promoted to Tawau Customs chief.