AKP Phnom Penh, February 16, 2026 —

A total of 33 people were arrested while over 1.72 million MYR (400,000 USD) worth of electronic cigarette devices and merchandise were seized in a joint operation carried out simultaneously across seven districts in Malaysia’s Sabah state.

Sabah General Operations Force Brigade Commander Senior Asst Comm Nor Omar Sappi said that 24 men and nine women were arrested during a simultaneous operation on February 10.

The raids were conducted in Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Beluran, Keningau, and Semporna.

“We also seized 16,925 electronic cigarette and vape devices, 219,959 litres of e-liquid, and 95 other items” he said in a statement here on February 14.

The case is being investigated under Section 10(1) of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which provides for fines of up to 20,000 RM for the first offence or 30,000 RM for subsequent offences, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

Additionally, he said investigations were being conducted under Sections 15 and 8 of the same Act relating to bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products, as well as Section 3(1) of the Trade Licensing Ordinance 1948.

AKP-VNA