KOTA KINABALU: The state Customs Department has seized smuggled cigarettes and liquor worth more than RM3 million in three separate operations.
The operations, which ran for five days from Sept 26, targeted several locations identified through intelligence in Penampang and the state capital here.
The department's Sabah Zone assistant director-general Siti Mang said the first operation involved a raid on an unnumbered store in Jalan N.C Mogunting, Kampung Hubah, Penampang.
"In the raid, we seized 214,000 boxes of cigarettes suspected of being smuggled," she said.
"Preliminary investigations estimate the cigarettes, in various brands, to be worth RM428,000, with taxes amounting to RM2.86 million."
Siti said the unoccupied store was used as a storage site to evade detection by the authorities.
The operations continued with raids at three locations in the city here, resulting in the seizure of 34 cartons of liquor worth approximately RM5,200, including taxes.
"The operation team detained one man and two local women, aged between 41 and 61."
In the third operation, carried out by the city's Enforcement Division with the assistance of the Sabah Zone Cobra Team, authorities seized a lorry loaded with suspected untaxed beer.
"Further checks in the area uncovered two more lorries containing similar untaxed beer. All drivers and their assistants were detained for further investigation, and the seized items were taken to the Sepanggar Enforcement Office in Kota Kinabalu."
The confiscated liquor amounted to 1,830 cartons, valued at approximately RM284,304.
Siti said investigations were ongoing under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967.