Cops arrest man in Johor with over RM140,000 worth of illegal cigs, liquor

JOHOR BARU: Police here have arrested a man for allegedly being involved in the smuggling of cigarettes and liquor for the domestic market.

Southern Region Two Marine Police chief ACP Muhd Zailani Abdullah said the 30-year-old suspect was detained while loading the goods into the boot of a car on Thursday (July 29).

He said the suspect was detained at the back lane of Jalan Dataran 3/1, Taman Kempas near here at around 5.30pm.

“Following the arrest, the man led us to a place where the contraband items were stored in a room,’’ said ACP Muhd Zailani on Friday (July 30).

He said that police personnel discovered 183,800 sticks of illicit cigarettes and eight cartons of liquor of different brands kept in the place with a combined value of RM141,768, including duties and taxes.

He said the items and the car were seized.

ACP Muhd Zailani said that the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

“We will work closely with other agencies to cripple smuggling activities and we have identified the routes used by smugglers,’’ he said.

ACP Muhd Zailani said smugglers and syndicates are continuing to change their modus operandi from time to time in a bid to avoid being detected.

Those with information on smuggling activities are urged to contact the Southern Region Two Marine Police at 07-237 2221.