KUDAT: An attempt to smuggle untaxed cigarettes using a ferry service was thwarted by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Kudat Maritime Zone on Sunday.
Kudat Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Hasbullah Omar said the operation was carried out following intelligence on the movement of smuggled cigarettes via the Kudat–Banggi ferry route.
Acting on the tip-off, a patrol boat intercepted and inspected the ferry, leading to the arrest of a 34-year-old local man suspected of attempting to smuggle the untaxed cigarettes to Pulau Banggi. Further checks uncovered six boxes of cigarettes with an estimated value of about RM6,000.
The suspect and seized items were taken to the Kudat Maritime Zone office for further investigation under the Customs Act 1967.
Hasbullah said the agency remains committed to combating smuggling and maritime crime, and urged the public to report any suspicious activities to emergency hotline 999 or the Kudat Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 088-611858.
