BINTULU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized RM45,250 worth of contraband cigarettes and beer at the coast of Samalaju last Sunday (May 14).
MMEA Bintulu director Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the seizure was made around 8 pm during a patrol along the coast to detect and curb smuggling activities.
A group of five individuals was spotted unloading goods at the scene but they managed to escape the authorities in their pickup trucks.
Their vehicles could not be identified due to the weather and rough sea conditions along the coast, which made it difficult for the team to get to shore quickly and arrest the suspects.
“Inspections at the scene led to the seizure of 15 boxes of various cigarettes and 95 cartons of beer.
“The value of the contraband goods is estimated at RM45,250 excluding tax. The items were later taken to MMEA Bintulu office for further investigation,” Khairol said in a statement.
He said the case will be investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967.
He appealed to the maritime community to channel information and complaints on suspicious activities or emergencies at sea to the MMEA Bintulu Operations Centre at 086-351798 or MMEA Sarawak Operations Centre at 082-432544.
