KOTA KINABALU: An undocumented migrant led police from three districts on a three-hour chase only to be caught after crashing his van into a tree.
The suspect’s van was later found to contain over RM1mil worth of smuggled cigarettes.
He had driven off during an operation near Silam in Lahad Datu at around midnight on Thursday (Aug 7).
His van was among three that had been stopped by police for inspection.
Sabah Region Four marine police commander Asst Comm Nazri Ibrahim said some of the personnel in the operation stayed back to inspect the other two vans, while the rest gave chase.
“The driver drove towards Kunak, prompting police from the Kunak station to join in the chase,” he said on Friday (Aug 8).
Despite the pursuit vehicles’ blaring sirens and repeated calls on their loudspeakers for him to pull over, the suspect continued speeding towards Tawau.
Police from the Tawau station were then roped in to join in the chase, ACP Nazri said.
Finally, about three hours into it, the driver crashed into a tree as they entered Kampung Titingan.
ACP Nazri said the suspect would still not go quietly and tried to flee on foot, but was eventually caught.
Contraband cigarettes were also found in the other two vans, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM3.09mil, he added.
He said all three drivers were arrested, while the contraband was taken to the marine police base for further investigation.
ACP Nazri said Sabah marine police have recorded 57 cigarette smuggling cases between January and August, with a total seizure value of over RM24.3mil.
“A total of 43 suspects were nabbed during this period,” he said, adding that Sabah marine police would continue raids and operations to fight crime, including smuggling.
He urged the public to continue providing information on any suspicious activity.
