POLICE seized RM293.3 million worth of smuggled goods across the country from January to July this year.

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Zainal Abidin Kasim said the sum was higher than the RM102.6 worth of smuggled goods seized during the same period last year.

He said among the smuggled goods were cigarettes, liquor, frozen meat and vehicles.

“Between January and July this year, 1,024 people were detained over smuggling cases. Out of this number, 814 are locals and the rest are foreigners, including Indonesians and Filipinos,” he said during a special interview in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.

“During the same period last year, 996 people, comprising locals and foreigners, were detained for smuggling activities.”  

Zainal said the seizure of smuggled goods and the arrests were made not only at the country’s border areas but also at retail shops and storage facilities.

“In the operations against the smuggling of cigarettes in Sarawak between 2015 and April 2021, cash totalling RM225,400 was seized and 42 people detained for trying to bribe the enforcement officers,” he said.

Asked whether the police’s Air Operation Force (PGU) is only conducting security patrols in border areas, Zainal said PGU is also involved in the Khazanah Integrated Operations (to weed out wildlife smugglers).

“The PGU’s duties are not restricted to ensuring security at the border but also curbing encroachment, illegal logging and illegal hunting of wildlife, in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks,” he said.

“Besides that, upon knowing or receiving information about land encroachment or fire outbreaks, PGU will carry out aerial monitoring (and taking photos as proof).” – Bernama, August 17, 2021.