JOHOR BARU: An attempt to get away with a truck-full of illicit alcoholic beverages was thwarted when enforcement personnel fired multiple shots at the wheels of the moving vehicle.

       Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said three police patrol units were deployed to tail the lorry after receiving a call for back-up from the Customs Department at 1.12pm Thursday (April 21).

       “After spotting the lorry, a chase ensued for close to an hour from Jalan Danga Bay all the way to the Gelang Patah area, a distance of about 20km.

       “The Customs personnel fired a few shots at the lorry’s tyres to stop it from escaping but the driver still tried to get away.

       “The lorry also rammed one of the patrol vehicles before coming to a complete stop near the Lima Kedai toll plaza along Jalan Tuas-Lima Kedai,” he said in a statement on Friday (April 22).

       The lorry driver in his 40s was arrested on the spot and police also seized the vehicle filled with contraband liquor, he said, adding that nobody was hurt in the incident.

       “The lorry driver has a criminal record for crime and drug offences,” he added.

       Comm Kamarul Zaman said the case was being investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967 and police are trying to find out if the suspect was driving the lorry out of or into the country before the incident.

       The case will be investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, Section 39D of the Firearms Act 1960, as well.

       “The suspect will also be investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of two years, a fine or both upon conviction for using criminal force to intimidate a civil servant.

       “He will be remanded for 10 days until May 1 to assist in investigations,” he added.

       Comm Kamarul Zaman said police will work closely with the Customs Department to identify the rest of the syndicate involved including tonto groups (shadowing vehicles).

       “This incident has challenged the authorities and threatened the enforcement personnel’s safety while enforcing the law and we will not take this lightly,” he said.

       A video clip of the incident made the rounds on social media showing several enforcement vehicles, with their sirens on, chasing the lorry.

       The lorry is also seen suddenly braking in the middle of the road before reversing into one of the vehicles.

       Meanwhile, Customs Department director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Latif Abdul Kadir is expected to hold a press conference on the incident at 11am Saturday (April 23).

       It is understood that the press conference would elaborate on the department’s efforts in crippling the smuggling of the contraband items worth about RM1.8mil.