(Kuching, 21st) The Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia, TDM) successfully foiled a cross-border smuggling operation in the Serikin area in the early hours yesterday, seizing a lorry carrying cigarettes worth over RM500,000.
The Eastern Command Media Operations Group stated in a release that the incident happened at around 11:35am, when soldiers conducting security operations spotted a three-ton lorry behaving suspiciously on an illegal trail near Kampung Sebobok, heading toward the Indonesian border.
The release said: "The unit quickly acted to block the route and managed to intercept the lorry just a few kilometres from the international border, thwarting the group's attempt to smuggle goods out of the country on the spot."
"Upon further inspection, a large number of cigarettes covered by canvas were found in the lorry's cargo compartment. A total of 12,180 cartons of various cigarette brands, including Win Mild and Era, with an estimated value of RM517,200 were seized during the operation."
The statement added that the three-ton lorry was also confiscated in the operation. The lorry driver, a 51-year-old local man, was detained at the scene. The suspect and the seized goods were subsequently handed over to the Bau District Police Headquarters (IPD) for further action under the Customs Act 1967.
The Malaysian Army emphasized that the military is capable of detecting and combating any cross-border smuggling activities. Currently, security controls in the Serikin and Bau areas have been raised to the highest level to curb illegal cross-border activities.
The military also urges the public to continue providing information on suspicious activities involving illegal trails or "rat routes" to collectively safeguard national security and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Army Eastern Command chief Lieutenant General Dato’ Mohd Sofi Md Lepi attributed the successful operation to the integrity and close cooperation of front-line personnel.
He called on all army members, especially those stationed in Sabah and Sarawak, to continue to maintain unity, discipline, and accountability, fulfill their duties, and defend national sovereignty.
The Eastern Command Media Operations Group stated in a release that the incident happened at around 11:35am, when soldiers conducting security operations spotted a three-ton lorry behaving suspiciously on an illegal trail near Kampung Sebobok, heading toward the Indonesian border.
The release said: "The unit quickly acted to block the route and managed to intercept the lorry just a few kilometres from the international border, thwarting the group's attempt to smuggle goods out of the country on the spot."
The statement added that the three-ton lorry was also confiscated in the operation. The lorry driver, a 51-year-old local man, was detained at the scene. The suspect and the seized goods were subsequently handed over to the Bau District Police Headquarters (IPD) for further action under the Customs Act 1967.
The Malaysian Army emphasized that the military is capable of detecting and combating any cross-border smuggling activities. Currently, security controls in the Serikin and Bau areas have been raised to the highest level to curb illegal cross-border activities.
The military also urges the public to continue providing information on suspicious activities involving illegal trails or "rat routes" to collectively safeguard national security and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Army Eastern Command chief Lieutenant General Dato’ Mohd Sofi Md Lepi attributed the successful operation to the integrity and close cooperation of front-line personnel.
He called on all army members, especially those stationed in Sabah and Sarawak, to continue to maintain unity, discipline, and accountability, fulfill their duties, and defend national sovereignty.