Malaysian Army Foils Attempt To Smuggle Cigarettes Worth Over RM83,000 In Serikin

KUCHING, Oct 14 – The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) intercepted a smuggling attempt early Wednesday morning, seizing 2,450 cartons of illicit cigarettes valued at RM83,300 in Serikin, located approximately 60 kilometres from Kuching.

The seizure was carried out during Op Keris Parang, an ongoing border security operation managed by the First Malaysian Infantry Division (1 Div).

At approximately 5:00 AM on October 14, 2026, an operational patrol unit spotted a vehicle navigating towards an unauthorized Malaysia-Indonesia border crossing point.

Military personnel intercepted the suspicious vehicle—equipped with a blue canvas covering its rear cargo compartment—along an illegal route about 400 metres from the international border line.

Vehicle Seizure, Suspect Arrest, and Handover

Upon stopping the vehicle, border patrol team members conducted a physical search:

• Contraband Discovery: Inspection revealed that the vehicle, driven by a local male, was transporting 2,450 cartons of contraband cigarettes alongside undocumented groceries and controlled items lacking valid cargo or travel verification permits.
• Seized Assets & Items: Aside from the RM83,300 worth of cigarettes, the army impounded a four-wheel-drive vehicle valued at RM110,000, two mobile phones valued at RM1,500, and a crossbody bag worth RM50, bringing the total value of seized assets to nearly RM195,000.
• Police Handover: The driver and all confiscated items were transferred to the Bau District Police Headquarters for formal investigation and statutory proceedings under national customs and immigration laws.

The 1 Div Command reiterated its commitment to maintaining rigorous surveillance across critical border sectors to curb cross-border smuggling and illegal entry.

–NMT