RM300,000 FAGS IN 4WD

KOTA KINABALU : Marine police found 10,920 packs of smuggled cigarettes worth almost RM300,000 inside a 4WD vehicle at a housing park along Jalan Penampang, here, Sunday.

State Marine Police Chief ACP Abdul Manaf bin Othman said the team headed by ASP Mohammad Aris bin Jambul found the contraband inside a Toyota Hilux at a house compound during a raid at 8.30pm.

He said the seized items worth RM295,839.28 would be handed over to the Customs Department for further action.

"When we inspected the Toyota Hilux parked in front of the house, we discovered the smuggled cigarettes kept on the backseat and the back of the vehicle.

"The team also arrested two locals aged 25 and 46 suspected involved in smuggling activities especially in Luyang and Penampang," Abdul Manaf said in a press conference at the Marine headquarters here on Monday.

Any information related to smuggling activities can be channeled to 088-450300 or 088-450222.

Marine police also registered more cases in Sabah last year, with an increase of 59 cases compared to 2011.

"We recorded a total of 931 cases last year compared to 872 cases in 2011, accounting for a slight increase of seven per cent.

"Last year, cases committed under Fisheries Act topped the list with 381 followed by 208 for offences under the Immigration Act and 103 Customs cases," he said.

Abdul Manaf said there was a 20 per cent decline in the value of seized items last year with RM7.19 million compared to RM9 million in 2011.

But as for compounds collected last year, he said it increased by more by one per cent or RM661.50 with a total of RM79,515 collected last year compared to RM78,853.50 the year before.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, he said the force recorded more seizure and cases last year compared to 2011.

"The team registered 69 drug cases recorded last year compared to 25 in 2011.

"Even the seizure of syabu was more last year with 3,209.59gms compared to 190gms in 2011 and 94 people were arrested last year compared to 33 in 2011," he said.

Abdul Manaf said the number of arrests among illegal immigrants went up last year with 648 people compared to 458 in 2011, an increase of 41 per cent or 190 people.

He said a total of 29,581 boats and 129,710 people including foreigners were inspected last year compared to 32,800 boats and 127,930 people in 2011. (DE)