KOTA KINABALU: More than RM1.4 million was seized in an operation against cross-border crime in Tawau on Friday.
Six people, comprising one Indonesian national and five locals aged between 40 and 47, were arrested in the swoop by a joint team of law enforcement personnel.
Nine premises in Tawau were raided by 84 officers from the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), Inland Revenue Department and Bukit Aman police.
Esscom commander Datuk Victor B. Sanjos said the suspects, two women and four men, would be detained to facilitate investigations into their activities.
"The probe will be conducted under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001) and the Income Tax Act 1967," Sanjos said today.
"Cash amounting to RM1,412,932 was seized during the operation," he said, adding that some items, such as mobile phones, documents and files, were also confiscated.
"The key objective of the operation is to ensure security and preserve public order in the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone), as well as combating the smuggling of contraband," he said.