Monday September 6, 2010
Three held with RM200,000 illegal cigs
PONTIAN: Three Indonesian nationals were arrested and more than RM200,000 worth of contraband cigarettes seized from them after marine police intercepted a speedboat off the Pontian coast here. The boat was spotted about two nautical miles from Pulau Kukup here at about 12.30am on Saturday.
However, the suspects tried to speed off and a short chase ensued before the speedboat was forced to a stop 10 minutes later, Marine Police Region 2 deputy chief Supt N. Kalai Chelvan said. The marine police recovered 26,400 packets of contraband cigarettes worth RM291,626 from the vessel.
The three Indonesians were detained after they failed to produce proper documentation. The fibreglass speedboat was also seized. Supt Kalai said the marine police would increase its operations during the festive season to stop illegal immigration and the smuggling of goods into the country.
Anyone with information about any suspicious maritime activities can contact the marine police hotline at 07-2372222 or 07-2376122.
