Lahad datu: The Marine Police Force (PPM) arrested two men in an operation at Batu 8, Jalan Silam here early today, on suspicion of smuggling in untaxed cigarettes from a neighbouring country worth over RM2 million.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah Region 4 PPM Commander ACP Mohd Nazri Ibrahim stated that the two men, aged 32 and 38, were detained along with two vans carrying the contraband cigarettes during the operation at around 1 am.

'Checks on the vehicles uncovered piles of black plastic bags containing a large quantity of various brands of cigarettes believed to have been smuggled in from a neighbouring country. More than 1.62 million sticks of cigarettes were seized,' he said in a statement today.

He mentioned that the case was being investigated under the Customs Act 1967.

Mohd Nazri also noted that the Sabah Region 4 PPM welcomed cooperation from the public to provide information on criminal activities to curb smuggling and safeguard the country.