KOTA BHARU: The Eighth Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) seized 90,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes worth RM262,000 in two separate operations under Ops Taring carried out on Dec 1 and 2.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said that in the latest operation at 12.30am on Tuesday (Dec 2), a team conducting patrols in Kampung Padang Jelapang Lati, Pasir Mas, discovered an abandoned vehicle believed to have been left behind by smugglers.
"Checks on the vehicle led to the discovery of 50,000 sticks of untaxed cigarettes valued at RM140,000," he said in a statement.
He said the driver fled on foot after realising the presence of the police, leaving behind several boxes of cigarettes believed to be destined for the local market.
According to Ahmad Radzi, the seizure also involved a vehicle, which has been handed over to the Pasir Mas district police headquarters (IPD) for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Radzi said another 40,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes worth RM122,000 were seized near the Caltex Padang Enggang petrol station in Kota Bharu at 11pm on Monday (Dec 1).
"This seizure also involved a vehicle and has been handed over to the Kota Bharu IPD for further investigation under the same section," he said. – Bernama
