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SEMPORNA: Marine police seized 197 cartons of illicit cigarettes worth RM49,250 in waters off Tanjung Manimpa, Pulau Bum Bum, Saturday.

Semporna Marine Police Commanding Officer DSP Mohamad Ismail said acting on a public tip- off, a team went to the area at 5am and spotted a pump boat in a suspicious manner.

When approached, the boat sped off and during the pursuit, the boat skipper and its crew jumped into the water and escaped towards Tanjung Manimpa mangroves.

“An inspection on the pump boat found 197 cartons of cigarettes with unpaid duty hidden in a blue plastic bag.

“The seized items, including the boat, engine and shaft propeller, worth an estimated RM55,500, were taken to the Semporna marine base for further action,” he said, adding the offence was under Section 135 of Customs Act 1967.