The cartons of seized e-cigarettes and vape cartridges. – courtesy GOF South-East Brigade via BERNAMA
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) Battalion 7 seized electronic cigarettes worth about RM6.7mil in a raid on storage premises in Kampung Telaga Bata, Tumpat, on Saturday (Oct 4).
GOF South-East Brigade acting commander Asst Comm Ijid Landu Binju said the 12.30am operation uncovered hundreds of yellow-wrapped boxes containing 29,960 vape cartridges and 37,800 vape devices, believed to be non-compliant with Malaysian standards.
The premises were believed to have been used as a storage and transit point before smuggling the items into Thailand via illegal routes in the district.
"Checks revealed that the address listed on the Companies Commission of Malaysia registration certificate did not match the actual location of the store,” he said in a statement.
A 31-year-old local man, believed to be the caretaker, was detained to assist in the investigation.
ACP Ijid said the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry for further action.
The case is being investigated under Orders 4(1) and 4(2) of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Electronic Cigarette Devices) Order 2022.
He added that the GOF will continue its operations, including Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan, to combat smuggling activities that threaten national security and the economy. – Bernama
