SANDAKAN: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) foiled attempts to smuggle pangolin scales, duty-unpaid cigarettes and subsidised diesel worth nearly RM1.5 million in four separate operations in Sandakan in June and July.
Sabah Customs director Ahmad Taufik Sulaiman said the largest seizure involved 100 kilogrammes of pangolin scales worth RM1.3 million discovered at the Sandakan air cargo entrance during a routine inspection by JKDM Sandakan enforcement officers and the Sandakan Cargo Unit, with no arrests made and investigations continuing to identify those involved.
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He said the second seizure involved 80,000 duty-unpaid cigarettes found in a bush near Kampung Bariawa, Mile 8, while the third involved 15,080 cigarettes and a four-wheel-drive vehicle seized at Jalan Sedco, Mile 2½.
The fourth operation under Ops Tiris 4.0 resulted in the seizure of 2,645 litres of subsidised diesel at the Sandakan Public Market Jetty, he told a press conference at Wisma Kastam Sandakan on Thursday.
He said the cases are being investigated under the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Cites) and the Customs Act 1967, while urging the public to channel information via the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office, with informants' identities kept confidential.
