KOTA KINABALU: What seemed to be a vacant house actually turned out to be a den where smugglers hid over RM200,000 worth of illicit cigarettes and alcohol in Sabah’s east coast Beluran district.

       Marine police were conducting an operation dubbed Ops Taring Landai Khas Kontraban when they received a tip-off about the house at Kampung Sapi Nangoh, some 205km from here, on Sunday.

       Region Four Marine Police Commander Asst Comm Ahmad Ariffin said they found the items hidden in a storeroom at the house during the 3am operation.

       “We found 272,208 cigarette sticks and 73 boxes of alcoholic drinks in the room.

       “The items are estimated to be worth some RM220,000,” he said when contacted.

       ACP Ahmad said the seized items have been brought to the Sandakan marine police operations base for investigations under the Customs Act 1967.

       He said marine police would step up efforts to curb smuggling activities in the state.

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