KUCHING: The Malaysian Army (TDM) foiled an attempt to smuggle controlled goods worth RM205,475 through an illegal route towards Indonesia in Biawak, Lundu, on Tuesday night (Aug 18).
The operations were carried out by a section from the Third Battalion, Royal Ranger Regiment (3 RRD) under the Third Infantry Brigade (3 Bgd), which intercepted two vehicles suspected of transporting the goods across the border.
The two vehicles, a black Toyota Prado bearing registration number NAU 9968 and a white Toyota Hilux Single Cab bearing registration number QDD 5880, were stopped by the troops while travelling from an illegal route towards the Indonesian border.
According to the Third Infantry Brigade headquarters, the vehicles were found to be carrying controlled goods covered with a blue canvas.
“An inspection found that the individuals involved had no valid travel documents, while the goods being transported were also not accompanied by valid documentation.
“The seized items and vehicles were valued at RM205,475 in total,” they said in a statement.
They comprised a 2015 Toyota Prado valued at RM60,000, a 2025 Toyota Hilux Single Cab worth RM120,000, 35 cartons of Allana Chuncks/Slices valued at RM17,500, and 150 boxes of cooking oil worth RM6,375.
Also seized were Apple smartphones worth RM1,000 and Oppo smartphones valued at RM600.
The individuals, vehicles and seized items were subsequently handed over to the Lundu Police Headquarters (IPD) for further action.
The Third Infantry Brigade said the seizure marked a significant success in efforts to curb illegal cross-border activities and smuggling along the Sarawak-Indonesia border.
They added that TDM would continue strengthening security controls and surveillance along the border to prevent smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities.
