Latest news with #ZulafendyHassan
The Star
17-07-2025
- The Star
Marine police seize smuggled smokes worth RM2.3mil in Pasir Mas
The cartons of contraband cigarettes seized by police. – courtesy Region Three Marine Police via BERNAMA KOTA BARU: Marine police foiled an attempt to smuggle 114 crates of cigarettes in a raid at Kampung Alor Mengkuang in Pasir Mas on Wednesday (July 16). Region Three Marine Police Commander Asst Comm Zulafendy Hassan said officers spotted a three-tonne lorry around 4am near Chabang Empat, heading to Kampung Ana, Tumpat. The driver ignored orders to stop and tried to escape, he said, adding that two cars believed to be used by "tontos" tried to block the police and almost hit an officer on a motorcycle. Police fired at the tyres of the lorry and the tonto vehicles, but the suspects kept going, he added. The chase lasted 30 minutes before the lorry crashed into a parking barrier in Pasir Mas, and the driver ran off on foot. Police found 1.14 million cigarettes, believed to have been smuggled into the country, inside the lorry. ACP Zulafendy said the seizure was worth about RM2.3mil, including tax, and the case was being investigated under the Customs Act 1967 and the Penal Code. He also urged the public to report border crimes by calling 09-5137726 or by e-mail to gerakanw3@ – Bernama
Malay Mail
17-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Smugglers flee after RM2.3m cigarette bust in Kelantan police chase
KOTA BHARU, July 17 — Marine police foiled an attempt to smuggle 114 crates of white cigarettes in a raid at Kampung Alor Mengkuang, Pasir Mas on Tuesday. Region Three Marine Police Commander ACP Zulafendy Hassan said officers spotted a suspicious three-tonne lorry around 4 am near Chabang Empat, heading to Kampung Ana, Tumpat. The driver ignored orders to stop and tried to escape. He said two cars believed to be used by 'tontos' tried to block the police and almost hit an officer on a motorcycle. Police fired at the tyres of the lorry and the tonto vehicles, but the suspects kept going. The chase lasted 30 minutes before the lorry crashed into a parking barrier in Pasir Mas, and the driver ran off on foot. Inside the lorry, police found 114 cartons of Zon King white cigarettes, totalling about 1.14 million sticks, believed to be smuggled from a nearby country. Zulafendy said the seizure was worth about RM2.3 million, including tax, and the case was being investigated under the Customs Act and the Penal Code. He also urged the public to report border crimes by calling 09-5137726 or emailing [email protected]. — Bernama
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Marine police chase, open fire on 'tonto' vehicles and lorry smuggling cigarettes
TUMPAT: Marine police foiled an attempt to distribute smuggled cigarettes with the seizure of 114 boxes worth about RM2.3 million during a high-speed chase and shooting here yesterday. No one was arrested in the 4am operation as several men managed to escape. A lorry used to transport the illicit cigarettes was seized in the operation. Marine police Third Region commander Assistant Commissioner Zulafendy Hassan said a team from the Pengkalan Kubor base earlier spotted a three-tonne lorry carrying 114 boxes of cigarettes in Kampung Alor Mengkuang near Gelang Emas, Pasir Mas. "While conducting surveillance, the officers spotted the suspicious lorry heading from Chabang Empat towards Kampung Ana. "They then approached the driver and ordered the vehicle to stop, but the driver sped off recklessly, prompting a chase," he said. During the chase, he added that the officers saw the lorry was escorted by two suspected tonto vehicles — a silver Honda CRV and a dark-coloured Proton Wira. "The two cars aggressively attempted to block police pursuit by ramming and forcing marine police vehicles off the road. "Fearing for their safety, our officers opened fire at the lorry and tonto vehicles' tyres, but the suspects continued driving," he said, adding that the chase lasted about 30 minutes from Tumpat to Pasir Mas. He added that the driver then abandoned the lorry and fled before the vehicle crashed into a parking pole. Upon inspection, police found the front left and rear tyres had been punctured. "Upon further search on the lorry, they found 114 boxes of smuggled 'Zon King' brand white cigarettes containing 5,700 cartons or about 1.14 million sticks, believed to have been brought in from a neighbouring country," he added. He said the seized goods and lorry had been taken to the marine police Region Three operations base in Pengkalan Kubor for further action.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Marine police intercept lorry with 1.1 tonnes of Thai rice; driver flees scene
KOTA BARU: A man suspected of smuggling Thai rice sped off in his lorry when he realised he was being tailed by the authorities along Jalan Kota Baru-Pasir Puteh yesterday. In the 11am incident, the lorry driven by the suspect was spotted by a team from Region Three marine police intelligence unit in Pengkalan Kubor, during Op Taring Landai/Kontraban. Region Three marine police commander Assistant Commissioner Zulafendy Hassan said intelligence gathering had been ongoing for a week before they acted on the tip-off. "Upon noticing our presence, the driver accelerated before pulling over by the roadside in Kampung Mahligai, Bachok. "He then exited the vehicle and fled into nearby bushes. Our team gave chase but he managed to escape. "Checks of the lorry uncovered 44 sacks of Thai rice, weighing a total of 1.1 tonnes and worth an estimated RM4,400," he said in a statement. Zulafendy said the rice had been brought in from Thailand via Sungai Golok in Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, and was believed to be intended for distribution in southern Kelantan and Pasir Puteh. He said the total seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM84,400. The rice, he said, was later handed over to Agriculture and Food Security Ministry for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 20 of the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 which carries a maximum fine of RM25,000.
Malay Mail
26-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Marine police foil Thai rice smuggling attempt in Kelantan, seize over a tonne
KOTA BHARU, May 26 — The Marine Police (PPM) thwarted an attempt to smuggle Thai rice into the country with the seizure of 44 packets of the contraband, weighing about 1.1 tonnes, in an operation in Kampung Mahligai near Gunong, Bachok, yesterday. PPM Region Three Commander ACP Zulafendy Hassan said the seizure was made at about 11 am during Ops Taring Landai/Contraband when the PPM team spotted a white Hino lorry in a suspicious condition on Jalan Kota Bharu-Pasir Puteh. He said the driver accelerated upon realising he was being followed, then stopped the vehicle by the side of Kampung Mahligai Road before fleeing into the nearby undergrowth. 'A check on the lorry found it was carrying 44 packets of Thai rice, weighing about 25 kilogrammes each. The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, is RM84,400,' he said in a statement today. Zulafendy said the seized items were taken to the PPM Region Three Operations Headquarters, Pengkalan Kubor and then handed over to the Kota Bharu beach of the National Padi and Rice Regulatory Department for further action. He said PPM Region Three would continue to intensify efforts to combat cross-border criminal activities that threaten the country's security and economy. Members of the public with information related to smuggling activities are urged to contact PPM Region Three via 09-5137726 or any nearby police station. The identity of the informants will be kept strictly confidential. — Bernama
