Two men held over nearly 20,000 sticks of smuggled cigarettes seized in Tanah Merah
TANAH MERAH: Two men, including a Pakistani, were arrested after nearly 20,000 sticks of smuggled cigarettes were seized in two separate raids yesterday.
On a fateful day in Tanah Merah, law enforcement executed two raids targeting smugglers of cigarettes, apprehending a total of nearly 20,000 sticks. The operation was orchestrated by the General Operations Force's 9th Battalion at Kampung Bukit Nangka and Kampung Paralla Dua between 4 pm and 5 pm. Intelligence gathering had led to the raids, according to Southeast Brigade GOF commander Datuk Ahmad Radzi Hussain.
During the first raid, officers intercepted a 33-year-old local man in Kampung Bukit Nangka who was found in possession of 6,080 sticks of smuggled cigarettes worth RM11,456. He claimed he had obtained the cigarettes from an individual known as "Chong" and planned to sell them around Tanah Merah. The suspect was subsequently arrested under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act.
The second raid took place at a shop-house in Kampung Paralla Dua at 5 pm. Inside, authorities discovered a sack containing 13,880 sticks of smuggled cigarettes, valued at more than RM26,000. A 55-year-old Pakistani man was taken into custody for further investigation. He alleged that the cigarettes had been supplied by two individuals who delivered them for sale and distribution.
Both suspects have been handed over to the Tanah Merah district police headquarters Criminal Investigation Department for additional scrutiny. The General Operations Force will continue monitoring the border to prevent further incursions and smuggling activities.
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