Police nab two in RM1.66m cigarette contraband bust

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Two men, aged 19 and 30, believed to be part of a syndicate involved in storing and distributing contraband cigarettes, were arrested in Desa Petaling, Klang Valley. The men, a delivery driver and a storekeeper, were detained during Ops Taring Alpha 1. Police seized items worth RM1.66 million, including 2,115 cartons of various cigarette brands, two vehicles, and five mobile phones connected to the illegal activities.

The total value of the seized cigarettes and goods was RM1,499,852, while the combined value of all seizures, including related assets, amounted to RM1,661,352. The suspects were detained under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. From January 1 to the present, the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigations carried out 240 raids nationwide, arresting 413 people for various contraband smuggling offences, with total seizures estimated at RM314.19 million.