Omar inspecting the undeclared alcoholic drinks that were seized in the operation.
KOTA KINABALU: The Marine Operation Force (MOF) have seized about RM8.3million worth of alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and firecrackers that have not been declared by customs at Kampung Bontoi in Tamparuli today.
Speaking at a press conference, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah said all the undeclared items were seized from a storeroom from at Kampung Bontoi after police received a tip-off.
About 114,350 boxes of cigarettes of numerous brands such as Astro, Era, Apache, Gudang Garam, Wifi, Premium, Canyon and Tex Light worth RM5.5 million were seized in the operation.
“Police also seized 2,746 boxes of alcoholic drinks such as Hotlandia Extra Stout, Hotlandia, Carlsberg, Tiger, Label 5, Chivas and Jack Daniel worth RM2.6 million,” he said, adding that about RM6,235 worth of numerous brand of firecrackers were also confiscated.
Three individuals, in their 20s and 40s, were subserviently detained by MOF while a van worth RM90,000, believed used by the suspects, were also impounded, said Omar.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 (amendment 2018) and Explosive Act 1957.
Omar added that police believed the items were mean for distribution to other districts for the coming Chinese New Year celebration.
Also present were Marine Operation Force from Bukit Aman, Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Yusoff Mamat, and Sabah Marine Operation Force ACP Mohamad Pajeri Ali.