TAWAU, Feb 13 — Tawau Marine Police foiled an attempt to smuggle 3,600 cartons of cigarettes and 6,160 packets of tobacco worth RM1.98 million, including tax yesterday.

Sabah Marine Police Commander ACP Mohamad Madun said a 42-year-old man was detained when a Marine Police team stopped a truck driven in a suspicious manner at about 9pm at Batu 4, Jalan Apas.

“When the truck was stopped, the truck driver quickly fled the scene, leaving the 42-year-old truck attendant,” he said at a press conference here today.

According to Mohamad, efforts to track smuggling activities and foil smuggling attempts would be intensified across the state.

He added that last year, Sabah Marine Police had foiled smuggling of various goods across statewide valued at RM28.9 million compared to RM31.2 million in the previous year.

“The smuggling of cigarettes foiled last year alone was worth RM16 million compared to RM26.4 million in 2013,” he said. — Bernama