RANAU: The Internal Security and Public Order Division (KDNKA) of the Ranau District Police Headquarters (IPD) arrested a local and seized a quantity of cigarettes suspected duty-unpaid during a raid on a business premises in the district recently.
Ranau District Police Chief Supt Mursalin Mahmud said the operation was conducted following intelligence gathering and surveillance carried out by officers from the KDNKA Division.
Police personnel conducted an inspection at the premises and found several boxes of cigarettes believed without valid customs duty payment.
“Further inspection led to the discovery of several boxes of cigarettes suspected not having customs duty. A local was subsequently detained to assist in the investigation,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which relates to the possession or storage of prohibited goods or goods on which duty has not been properly paid without lawful authority.
Mursalin said the Ranau IPD, through its KDNKA Division, will continue to intensify Op Kontraban through regular patrols, inspections and enforcement operations aimed at curbing smuggling activities and the sale of illicit goods within the district.
Netizens called for more comprehensive enforcement against the open sale of suspected contraband cigarettes, while others urged relevant agencies to investigate allegations of illicit tobacco products being sold in certain locations around town.
Several questioned how such activities could continue if they were occurring openly, and called upon enforcement agencies to take appropriate action.
