Contraband cigarettes, beer worth RM15,000 seized in Marine Police ops

MIRI: The Marine Police confiscated 61 cartons of contraband cigarettes of various brands, as well as 583 cans and 168 bottles of mixed beer, all estimated to be worth RM15,000, during an operation here on Sunday.

According to Marine Police ( Region 5) operations command and intelligence chief DSP Fakharuddin Amri Sanusi, the raids were set up based on public tip- off.

“Acting on the information received, the ( Marine Police) teams from Kuching, Bintulu and Miri gathered for the operation conducted on three premises – two units in Pelita Commercial Centre and a shop at the city centre – yesterday ( Sunday) morning.

“We confiscated 37 cartons of cigarettes of various brands, 583 cans and 168 bottles of mixed beer from the Pelita Commercial Centre units, which are adjacent to each other,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Another team raided a shop in the city centre, where they seized 24 cartons of cigarettes and also cash amounting to RM2,475 from the premises.

“During the operation, two women and a man – aged between 30 and 65 – were also arrested to facilitate investigation,” said Fakharuddin.

It is said that the beers were taken on suspicion that they were being sold without the valid licence for alcoholic beverages.

Boxes containing bottled beers of various brands are seen stacked outside one of the premises in Pelita Commercial Centre. It is suspected that these alcoholic beverages are being sold without the proper licence.