BAU: The army delivered a decisive blow to a cross-border smuggling syndicate after intercepting a lorry loaded with cigarettes worth more than half a million ringgit near the Serikin border.
The interception took place at around 11.35 am yesterday (Jan 20) when soldiers on border duty spotted a three-tonne lorry speeding along an illegal route from Kampung Sebobok towards the border, raising immediate suspicion.
Eastern Field Army Commander Lt-Gen Datuk Mohd Sofi Md Lepi said the team moved swiftly to seal off the route and intercepted the lorry before it could cross over, foiling what appeared to be a carefully timed attempt to exploit peak movement hours.
The driver, a 51-year-old local man, was detained for inspection.
“Further checks on the lorry’s cargo bed resulted in the discovery of a large cache of cigarettes concealed beneath a canvas.
“The seizure involved 12,180 cartons of assorted cigarette brands, including Win Mild and Era, with a total estimated value of RM517,200. The lorry used to transport the contraband was also seized.
“The suspect and seizures have been handed over to Bau district police headquarters (IPD) for further action under the Customs Act 1967,” he said.
Mohd Sofi said the armed forces have the capability to detect and neutralise any movement, whether attempts to bring goods into the country or to smuggle them out.
Security control in Serikin and Bau sectors has been tightened to the maximum level, stressing that the army remains uncompromising in safeguarding national borders.
In light of this, the public is urged to remain vigilant and share information on suspicious activities along illegal routes, as community cooperation remains a key line of defence against cross-border crime.
