MMEA Detains 20 Men, Seizes RM24.2 Mln Worth Of Contraband Cigarettes Off Pulau Sipadan

TAWAU, June 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained 20 men and seized 3,014 boxes of contraband cigarettes worth RM24.2 million after tax in waters south of Pulau Sipadan, Semporna, yesterday.

Sabah and Labuan MMEA director First Admiral Khairul Anuar Abd Majid@Razali said the suspects, aged between 26 and 62, included Indonesian, Filipino, Myanmar, Indian nationals and locals. They were detained under Ops Sejahtera and Ops Tiris.

He said the operation was carried out based on intelligence reports and led to the detection of a suspicious Malaysian-registered cargo vessel about seven nautical miles south of Pulau Sipadan.

Authorities observed the transfer of brown boxes from the cargo vessel to an unregistered boat before inspecting the vessel, where multiple brands of cigarettes were found.

The seized cigarettes included Bosqu, New Aris, Berlin and New Far brands, with each box containing 50 cartons. Various navigation and communication equipment, including GPS, radar and radios, were also confiscated.

Khairul Anuar said the total value of the seizure, including the cargo vessel, was estimated at RM65.7 million, and the case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967, the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, and the Immigration Act 1959/1963.

He added that preliminary investigations found the cigarettes were brought in from Vietnam and intended for distribution in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, and described the case as the largest cigarette seizure in MMEA history.

-- BERNAMA