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SEMPORNA: Smugglers left behind 400 cartoons of contraband cigarettes in a pump boat after being pursued by marine police in the waters off here on Thursday.

Semporna Marine Police Commanding Officer Mohamad Ismail said a team spotted the suspicious boat about 1.30am.

“When approached, the boat sped off and after 10 minutes of pursuit, the boat’s skipper and crew jumped into the water,” he said, adding efforts to track down the suspects were in vain due to darkness.

An inspection on the boat found 400 cartons of L3 Menthol cigarettes hidden under a green canvas.

All the seized items, estimated to be worth RM129,500, were taken to Semporna marine police base for further action.

Mohamad Ismail said investigation on the case would be carried out under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967.