Army foils attempt to smuggle cigarette worth RM517,200 near Serikin border

KUCHING (Jan 21): The Malaysian Army successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle cigarettes worth RM517,200 into a neighbouring country after intercepting a lorry in the Serikin Sector in Bau near here on Tuesday.

According to the Media Operations Cell of the Eastern Field Command Headquarters, the incident occurred at around 11.35am.

Troops conducting border control operations detected a lorry moving suspiciously along an illegal route from Kampung Sebobok towards the international border.

“Our team acted swiftly to cordon off the route and detained the lorry several kilometres before it reached the border line, thereby foiling the syndicate’s attempt to move the cargo out of the country,” the statement said.

Inspection of the vehicle uncovered 12,180 cartons of cigarettes of various brands, concealed under a canvas cover. The total value of the seizure was estimated at RM517,200, and the lorry was confiscated.

The 51-year-old local driver was arrested at the scene and handed over, along with the seized items, to the Bau District Police Headquarters for further investigation under the Customs Act 1967.

“The armed forces have the capability to detect and thwart any attempted movements in or out of the border areas,” it stressed.

The public is also urged to report any suspicious activities along illegal border routes in the interest of collective security.