Illicit cigarettes and beer worth RM132k seized

MIRI: Illicit cigarettes and beer worth RM132,031.20 were seized by the Marine Intelligence Unit (URM) Region 5 on Tuesday.

These illicit items were found hidden inside the vehicle.

These contraband items were seized after the URM personnel stopped a Toyota van during an operation that morning.

Miri district police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said that the contraband items were seized during an operation dubbed Ops Kontraban held around 9.30 am after the vehicle was stopped by the roadside of Jalan Dato Permaisuri 1C, Lorong 2.

“The vehicle was stopped in front of an ice factory in Tudan,” he disclosed.

A further check carried out found the contrabands were hidden at the back compartment.

The van driver was also detained by the police for further investigation after he failed to show proof that the tax on the items had been paid, an offence under the Customs Act 1967.

Also seized was the vehicle, worth RM40,000.