Council officer beaten up by sellers of contraband cigarettes

Police say one person has been arrested after the Sandakan enforcement officer was set upon while on patrol at the market area.

The enforcement officer was attacked after he reprimanded a man believed to be openly selling duty-free cigarettes, police said.

SANDAKAN:

 A municipal council enforcement officer here was beaten up by a group of men believed to be selling illegal cigarettes while he was on patrol at the Batu 8 market area here yesterday.

Sandakan police chief George Abd Rakman said the officer had reprimanded a man believed to be openly selling duty-free cigarettes in the area. “Later, an argument broke out and the victim was attacked by several unknown persons at about 2.30pm,” he said.

Several people have been identified as being involved and one person has been arrested, George said.

A video clip on the assault has been widely circulated on social media.

Sandakan municipal council president Walter Kenson said legal action would be taken against the group of illegal cigarette sellers who injured council officers.

“The violent actions taken by a group of illegal cigarette sellers are unacceptable,” he said, reminding the public that selling illegal cigarettes was against the the law. - FMT