KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Police have busted a contraband cigarette distribution ring with the arrest of two men and the seizure of various items worth RM1.49 million in an operation around the Klang Valley yesterday.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) Wildlife Crime Control/Special Intelligence Investigation Bureau (WCB/PSK) Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said two men, 20 and 22, were arrested on suspicions of acting as deliverymen during the operation that was focused on three locations - Taman Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur; Semenyih and Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
“Checks found huge quantities of cigarettes of various brands, including John JDB, John JDB Superslims, Zon King and Canyon Premium.
“Police also seized a Toyota Vellfire and Toyota Alphard, mobile phones and RM26,415 in cash believed to be linked to illicit activities,” he said in a statement today, adding that they believed the premises were used as a temporary store before cigarettes were sent to various places around Kuala Lumpur.
Both men were arrested under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, he said, and they were still identifying other individuals involved in the ring.
He also shared that from Jan 1 to today, his department has launched 237 raids throughout the country and arrested 411 individuals on various offences linked to smuggling of contraband, with seizures valued at an estimated RM312,523,899.
-- BERNAMA