MIRI: The 12 th Battalion of the General Operation Force (GOF) here on Tuesday forfeited various types of cigarettes, liquor and beer cans that did not receive Customs approval, with an estimated worth of RM55,000.
Miri Commanding Officer of 12th Battalion of GOF Superintendent Tan Hiap Seng said, the seizure was made at 12.15pm at an eatery premises in Jalan Melayu Centre Point Commercial Centre following a tip-off.
Following inspection, the operation team also seized several contraband items being put stuffed inside a trunk of a car parked in front of the premises.
The car (Toyota Vios) belonged to the premises’ owner.
“The team also arrested the owner, aged 48, as he attempted to bribe the team with RM2,000,” said Tan.
All seized items have been handed over to Miri Customs Department for investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possessing forbidden goods/goods yet to be approved by Customs.
Meanwhile, the owner is being detained under Section 17 (b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 for offering /giving gratification (bribe).
A total 156 boxes of cigarettes; 77 bottles of liquor and 173 beer cans were seized during the operation known as ‘Ops Libas’.
Tan in a press statement released on Wednesday said GOF in Miri will continue with the operation as part of their effort to curb illegal activities.
Therefore, he also urged members of the public who have any information on any illegal activities involving contraband liquor or cigarettes to inform GOF in Miri with immediate effect.
