Semporna MMEA foils attempt to smuggle in cigarettes

SEMPORNA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted an attempt to smuggle in 150 cartons of cigarette from the Philippines off Tobo-Tobo near here, last night.
District MMEA director, Maritime lieutenant commander Amiludin Yenggah said the value of the contraband including taxes was RM25,000.
He said MMEA conducted an operation, Ops Pluto Timur, based on surveillance and intelligence and intercepted the boat carrying the contraband at 9.45pm.
"As the team approached the boat, a man jumped out and escaped to the shore near Kampung Senang Hati Semporna.
"An inspection on the boat found that it did not have any registration number and was carrying four boxes of about 150 cartons of 'Astro' cigarettes", he said in a statement here today.
The public can channel information or lodge any relevant complaint to MERS 999 or Semporna maritime operation centre at 089-782619. — Bernama