GOF Busts Smuggling Syndicate, Seizes 1.15 Mln Cigarettes

KOTA BHARU, July 13 (Bernama) -- The General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade crippled a cigarette smuggling syndicate in a raid under Op Taring Alpha 1 at a quarry area in Mukim Jerus, Bukit Jawa, Pasir Puteh last Friday.

GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the 6.30 am raid led to the discovery of 1.15 million white cigarettes of the 'John JDB' and 'SAAT' brands, believed to have been smuggled for the local market.

He said the cigarettes were found inside a vehicle and a container at the raid location, with the total value of the seizure — including the vehicle and container — estimated at RM2.215 million.

"An Indonesian man was also arrested after he was found hiding in a cabin near the raid site. He did not possess any valid identification documents.

“All seized items, along with the suspect, have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Pasir Puteh district police headquarters for further action,” he said in a statement today.

Nik Ros Azhan said the case is being investigated under Section 135(d) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

-- BERNAMA