KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Customs Department thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of cigarettes worth RM8.05 million last Saturday.
In the operation at 4.55pm, the suspected contraband cigarettes were hidden in an unnumbered storage facility on Lorong Sedco 9, Batu 3, Sandakan.
Sabah Customs Department deputy director General Datuk Mohd Nasir Deraman said the raid on the storage facility was conducted based on intelligence.
During the raid, they seized 5.26 million cigarettes of various brands, estimated to be worth RM526,228 excluding taxes.
"The operation team also seized three vehicles: a Proton Persona, a Toyota Hilux, and a Toyota Hiace, believed to be used for smuggling activities.
"We arrested three local men aged between 33 and 47 for further investigation," he said at a press conference at the Customs Tower here.
Mohd Nasir said they believe all the cigarettes were smuggled in to avoid taxes and for the local market.
He noted that many of these cigarettes are brought into the eastern coastal districts of the state due to the demand from low-income groups, especially plantation workers.