Marine police seize contraband cigarettes, liquor worth RM727k in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: Marine police arrested two foreign men and seized 180,000 cigarettes and 7,860.64 litres of liquor worth RM727,351.71, including taxes, in Kubang Semang.

The seizure followed a raid on an unnumbered premises in Kubang Semang last Friday. The operation was conducted by the Marine Intelligence Unit of Marine Police Region One, Penang.

The raid was part of a special operation by Marine Police Region One, which ran from Oct 6 to 11.

Marine Police Region One commander, Assistant Commissioner Jaffri Bidin, said the raid followed intelligence on the alleged smuggling of liquor and untaxed cigarettes.

"The raid resulted in the arrest of two foreign men and the seizure of 7,860.64 litres of liquor and 180,000 sticks of various brands of white cigarettes.

"The total value of the seizure, including taxes, amounted to RM727,351.71," he said in a statement.

Jaffri said the two suspects, aged 28 and 36, had been remanded for 10 days from Oct 10 to 19 to assist investigations under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

He said the force had recorded 2,042 cases involving arrests and seizures valued at RM174,636,299.60 in 2026, covering various offences.

Jaffri said marine police remained committed to combating the smuggling of untaxed goods and prohibited items, particularly through maritime routes.

He added that intelligence gathering would be strengthened through cooperation with agencies within and outside the police force to ensure the law was upheld.